US4079353A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Offshore seismic surveying technique
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1976-02-12
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Granted: 1978-03-14
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Expires: 1996-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A method of offshore seismic surveying for obtaining data in areas with gassy unconsolidated sedimentation is disclosed. A shallow, or high resolution, seismic survey is performed to map acoustic properties of the water bottom and distinguish between slab areas of the gassy sedimentation, which have relatively good acoustic impedance matching with water bottoms, and scar areas of the gassy sedimentation, characterized by poor impedance matching, giving rise to water bottom multiples. After the slab and scar areas are mapped, conventional seismic profiles may be obtained in the slab zones. For surveying the scar zones, a source vessel is located over a slab zone to emit seismic energy waves, while a second vessel, which is moved over the scar zones, senses the response of the submerged formations. Either refraction or reflection shooting may be performed with the source vessel over the slab zone and the second vessel over the scar zone.
Inventors
- 👤 William D. Jenkinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:50
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/28; G01V1/30; G01V1/306; G01V1/38; G01V1/3808
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of offshore seismic surveying to obtain seismic data from formation submerged beneath horizontally dispersed gassy unconsolidated sedimentation scar zones on the floor of a body of water, comprising the steps of: a. emitting seismic energy waves into a body of water; b. conducting high resolution seismic surveys to horizontally locate slab zones on said floor of transmitting emitted seismic energy waves downwardly therethrough and to horizontally locate said scar zones on said floor; c. locating seismic recording instrumentation over one of said scar zones located on said floor during the high resolution seismic survey; d. locating a seismic energy source over one of said slab zones located on said floor; e. emitting seismic energy waves from said seismic energy source over said slab zone; and f. sensing the response of the formation submerged under said scar zone to the seismic energy emitted over said slab zone with said seismic recording instrumentation whereby data are obtained from formations beneath said scar zones.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of offshore seismic surveying to obtain seismic data from formation submerged beneath horizontally dispersed gassy unconsolidated sedimentation scar zones on the floor of a body of water, comprising the steps of: a. emitting seismic energy waves into a body of water; b. conducting high resolution seismic surveys to horizontally locate slab zones on said floor of transmitting emitted seismic energy waves downwardly therethrough and to horizontally locate said scar zones on said floor; c. locating seismic recording instrumentation over one of said scar zones located on said floor during the high resolution seismic survey; d. locating a seismic energy source over one of said slab zones located on said floor; e. emitting seismic energy waves from said seismic energy source over said slab zone; and f. sensing the response of the formation submerged under said scar zone to the seismic energy emitted over said slab zone with said seismic recording instrumentation whereby data are obtained from formations beneath said scar zones.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, further including the step of: conducting seismic surveys over said slab zones located during the step of conducting a high resolution seismic survey.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of emitting seismic energy waves from said source over said slab zone comprises emitting reflection seismic energy waves.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said step of locating a seismic energy source over one of said slab zones comprises the step of moving a seismic survey vessel having a seismic source therewith over said one of the slab zones.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said step of locating seismic recording instrumentation comprises moving a seismic recording vessel having seismic recording instrumentation therewith over said one of the scar zones.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 3, further including the step of: conducting a reflection seismic survey from the data obtained during said step of sensing the response.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said step of emitting seismic energy waves from said source over said slab zone includes the step of emitting refraction seismic energy waves from said source over said slab zone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 7, further including the step of: conducting a refraction seismic survey from the data obtained during said step of sensing the response.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of emitting seismic energy waves from said seismic energy source over said slab zone comprises emitting refraction seismic energy waves.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said step of locating a seismic energy source over one of the slab zones comprises the step of locating a seismic survey vessel having a seismic source therewith at a fixed location over said one of the slab zones.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said step of locating seismic recording instrumentation comprises moving a seismic recording vessel having seismic recording instrumentation therewith over said one of the scar zones.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 9, further including the step of: conducting a refraction seismic survey from the data obtained during said step of sensing the response.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of emitting seismic energy waves into the body of water comprises the step of emitting seismic energy waves from a seismic surveying vessel moving through the body of water.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of locating seismic recording instrumentation comprises moving a seismic recording vessel having seismic recording instrumentation therewith over said one of the scar zones.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of locating a seismic energy source over one of the slab zones comprises the step of locating a seismic survey vessel having a seismic source therewith over said one of the slab zones.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: a. said step of locating seismic recording instrumentation comprises locating seismic recording instrumentation over each of the scar zones located on said floor during the high resolution seismic survey; and b. said step of sensing the response comprises sensing the response of formations under each of the scar zones.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-03-13 | 1981-09-12 | 1982-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-13 | 1985-09-12 | 1986-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-13 | 1989-09-12 | 1990-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |