Seismic Data Recording Units

• US 20150168572A1
• Filed: 12/08/2014
• Published: 06/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WesternGeco LLC
• Original Assignee: WesternGeco LLC
• Inventors: Bagaini, Claudio, Holst, Einar
• Granted Patent: US 10,816,683 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/16 Receiving elements for seismic signals; Arrangements or adaptations of receiving elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/22 Transmitting seismic signals to recording or processing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/24 Recording seismic data

Abstract

A seismic data recording unit. The seismic data recording unit may include a housing and retractable arms coupled to the housing. The seismic data recording unit may include a respective seismic sensor coupled proximate the end of a retractable arm. The retractable arm may move from a position on or proximate the housing to a position away from the housing.

Claims

1. A seismic data recording unit, comprising:

a housing;

three or more retractable arms coupled to the housing; and

a respective seismic sensor coupled proximate the end of a respective retractable arm of the three or more retractable arms, wherein at least one of the retractable arms is configured to move from a first position on or proximate the housing to a second position away from the housing.

2. The seismic data recording unit of claim 1, further comprising:

a processor; and

a memory comprising program instructions executable by the processor to receive seismic data from the respective seismic sensor.

3. The seismic data recording unit of claim 1, wherein the second position is at a distance substantially the length of the respective retractable arm.

4. The seismic data recording unit of claim 1, wherein the retractable arms are configured to position the respective seismic sensors at predetermined relative distances for use in determining a horizontal gradient of a seismic wavefield.

5. The seismic data recording unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the retractable arms is configured to be inserted at least partially into the housing.

6. The seismic data recording unit of claim 1, wherein the respective seismic sensor is a multi-component sensor or a particle motion sensor.

7. The seismic data recording unit of claim 1, wherein an antenna is disposed at least partially inside the at least one of the retractable arms.

8. The seismic data recording unit of claim 7, wherein the antenna is configured to communicate with a recording station.

9. The seismic data recording unit of claim 1, wherein the relative positions of the retractable arms are configured to be used in determining a horizontal gradient of a seismic wavefield.

10. The seismic data recording unit of claim 1, further comprising a cable coupled to the housing, the cable being configured to transmit seismic data received from the respective seismic sensor to a recording station.

11. The seismic data recording unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the retractable arms comprises:

a battery;

a global positioning system (GPS) device;

a compass;

or a combination thereof.

12. A seismic data recording unit, comprising:

a housing having an exterior shape that approximates a polygon; and

three or more seismic sensors disposed proximate the corners of the polygon.

13. The seismic data recording unit of claim 12, further comprising

a processor;

and

a memory comprising program instructions executable by the processor to receive seismic data from the three or more seismic sensors.

14. The seismic data recording unit of claim 13, further comprising a cable coupled to the housing, the cable being configured to transmit the received seismic data to a recording station.

15. The seismic data recording unit of claim 12, wherein the seismic sensors are multi-component sensors.

16. The seismic data recording unit of claim 12, wherein the relative positions of the three or more seismic sensors are configured to be used to calculate a horizontal gradient of a seismic wavefield.

17. A method, comprising:

deploying a seismic data recording unit for a region of interest, wherein the seismic data recording unit comprises;

a housing;

three or more retractable arms coupled to the housing; and

a respective seismic sensor coupled proximate the end of a respective retractable arm of the three or more retractable arms;

moving at least one of the retractable arms from a first position on or proximate the housing to a second position away from the housing;

shooting one or more seismic sources;

acquiring seismic data using the seismic data recording unit, wherein the seismic data corresponds to shooting the one or more seismic sources; and

determining a horizontal gradient of a seismic wavefield using the acquired seismic data.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second position is at a distance that is substantially the length of the respective retractable arm.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the horizontal gradient is determined using the relative distances between the respective seismic sensors.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising transmitting, over a wireless connection, the seismic data from the seismic data recording unit to a recording station.