Method and apparatus for gathering seismic data and selectively controlling isolated distributed recorders in an isolated distributed recording system

• US 4,807,200 A
• Filed: 03/26/1987
• Issued: 02/21/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Inventors: Montes, Raul R., Kostelnicek, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lobo, Ian J.
• Application Number:
  US07/032,201
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 367/39, 367/40, 367/41, 367/42, 367/76, 367/77, 367/133, 346/33 C, 455/4
• US Class Current: 367/76
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/22 Transmitting seismic signals to recording or processing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/242 Seismographs

Abstract

A method and apparatus for selectively controlling isolated distributed recorders in an Isolated Distributed Recording System. Selection and control of isolated distributed recording units comprising a seismic data gathering Isolated Distributed Recording System are effected by transmitting preselected encoded acoustic seismic signals to which the isolated distributed recorders have been preconditioned to respond by effecting a desired control action. The same encoded acoustic seismic signal may also provide the seismic data for the experiment. Each isolated distributed recorder is conditioned to respond to several encoded acoustic signals, to discriminate against noise, and/or to respond to one such encoded acoustic signal by effecting a plurality of control actions at the isolated distributed recorder. The method and apparatus of the invention, thus, provided a large number of combinations for seismic data acquisition and control to fit the requirements of seismic data gathering operations effected in accordance with common depth points methods or other seismic exploration methods.

Claims

1. A method for gathering seismic data and remotely controlling isolated distributed recorders in an Isolated Distributed Recording System, comprising the steps of:

(a) preconditioning individual isolated distributed recorders in an Isolated Distributed Recording System to respond selectively to an encoded acoustic waveform by effecting a control action at the isolated distributed recorders, said encoded acoustic waveform having a unique signal characteristic;

(b) transmitting said encoded acoustic waveform utilizing an acoustic seismic energy source for the purpose of producing said control action in said Isolated Distributed Recording System;

(c) detecting said encoded acoustic waveform at each isolated distributed recorder and correlating said detected encoded acoustic waveform with correlating encoded signals at each isolated distributed recorder, at least one of said correlating encoded signals being uniquely associated with said control action at at least one isolated distributed recorder; and

(d) effecting said control action at said Isolated Distributed Recording System upon correlation between said transmitted encoded acoustic waveform and said at least one correlating encoded signal at at least one isolated distributed recorder.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said unique signal characteristic corresponds to a code based upon a version of a vibrator sweep.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

(e) storing said detected encoded acoustic waveform at said at least one isolated distributed recorder.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of:

(f) referencing the time of arrival of said detected encoded acoustic waveform to the time said detected encoded acoustic waveform was transmitted.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

(g) changing said encoded acoustic waveform'"'"'s unique signal characteristics and repeating steps b, c, and d for the purpose of effecting a plurality of control actions within the Isolated Distributed Recording System.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said transmitted encoded acoustic waveform is an encoded seismic signal.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said transmitted encoded acoustic waveform is an encoded air-pressure wave.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said transmitted encoded acoustic waveform is generated by at least one seismic vibrator.

16. The method of claim 1, 9, 14, or 15 wherein said control action consists of selecting the recorder'"'"'s amplitude settings.

17. The method of claim 1, 9, 14, or 15 wherein said control action consists of selecting the recorder'"'"'s phase settings.

18. The method of claim 1, 9, 14, or 15 wherein said control action consists of selecting the recorder'"'"'s signal filter levels.

19. The method of claim 1, 9, 14, or 15 wherein said control action consists of selecting the recorder'"'"'s rate for data gathering.

20. The method of claim 1, 9, 14, or 15 wherein said control action consists of selecting the recorder'"'"'s recording mode ("on" or "off").

33. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of:

(g) changing said unique encoded acoustic waveform'"'"'s characteristics and repeating steps b, c, d, e, and f for purposes of effecting a plurality of control actions and gathering seismic data at said Isolated Distributed Recording System.

9. A method for gathering seismic data and remotely controlling isolated distributed recorders in an Isolated Distributed Recording System, comprising the steps of:

(a) preconditioning individual isolated distributed recorders in an Isolated Distributed Recording System to respond selectively to encoded acoustic waveforms by effecting at least one control action at the isolated distributed recorders, said encoded acoustic waveforms having a unique signal characteristic corresponding to a binary code of maximal length;

(b) transmitting said encoded acoustic waveforms utilizing an acoustic seismic energy source for the purpose of producing said at least one desired control action in said Isolated Distributed Recording System;

(c) detecting said encoded acoustic waveforms at each isolated distributed recorder and correlating said detected encoded acoustic waveforms with correlating encoded signals at each isolated distributed recorder, each of said correlating encoded signals having a unique signal characteristic in accordance with said binary code of maximal length and being uniquely associated with at least one preselected control action at each isolated distributed recorder;

(d) effecting said at least one control action at said Isolated Distributed Recording System upon correlation between said transmitted encoded acoustic waveforms and at least one of said correlating encoded signals at at least one isolated distributed recorder;

(e) storing said detected encoded acoustic waveforms at said at least one isolated distributed recorder; and

(f) referencing the time of arrival of said detected encoded acoustic waveforms to the time said detected encoded acoustic waveforms were transmitted.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of:

(g) changing said unique encoded acoustic waveforms'"'"' characteristics in accordance with said binary code of maximal length and repeating steps b, c, and d for the purpose of effecting a plurality of control actions within the Isolated

Distributed Recording System.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said transmitted encoded acoustic waveforms comprise encoded seismic signals.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said transmitted encoded acoustic waveforms comprise encoded air-pressure waves.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein said transmitted encoded acoustic waveforms are generated by at least one seismic vibrator.

34. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

(g) changing said unique encoded acoustic waveform'"'"'s characteristics in accordance with said binary code of maximal length and repeating steps b, c, d, e, and f for the purposes of effecting a plurality of control actions and gathering seismic data at said Isolated Distributed Recording System.

14. A method for gathering seismic data and remotely controlling isolated distributed recorders in an Isolated Distributed Recording System, comprising the steps of:

(a) preconditioning individual isolated distributed recorders in an Isolated Distributed Recording System to respond selectively to encoded acoustic waveforms by effecting a plurality of control actions at the isolated distributed recorders, said encoded acoustic waveforms having a unique signal characteristic;

(b) transmitting said encoded acoustic waveforms utilizing an acoustic seismic energy source for the purpose of producing said control actions at said Isolated Distributed Recording System;

(c) effecting said control actions at said Isolated Distributed Recording System in response to said transmitted encoded acoustic waveforms;

(d) storing said encoded acoustic waveforms at least one isolated distributed recorder;

(e) referencing the time of arrival of said stored encoded acoustic waveforms to the time said stored encoded acoustic waveforms were transmitted so that said encoded acoustic waveforms function to provide information for the selection and control of said isolated distributed recorders and also to provide seismic data concerning the sub-surface geology; and

(f) changing said encoded acoustic waveform'"'"'s unique signal characteristic and repeating steps b, c, d, and e for effecting a plurality of control actions at said Isolated Distributed Recording System and for gathering seismic data concerning the sub-surface geology.

15. A method for remotely gathering seismic data and controlling isolated distributed recorders in a seismic data gathering Isolated Distributed Recording System, comprising the steps of:

(a) generating an encoded seismic signal utilizing an acoustic seismic energy source, said encoded seismic signal having a unique signal characteristic;

(b) effecting at least one control action in response to said encoded seismic signal at at least one isolated distributed recorder located in a seismic data gathering Isolated Distributed Recording System;

(c) storing and referencing the time of arrival at said isolated distributed recorder of said encoded seismic signal, including said encoded seismic signal'"'"'s related waveforms, whereby said encoded seismic signal functions to provide information for the selection and control of said isolated distributed recorder and also functions to provide seismic data concerning the sub-surface geology; and

(d) changing said encoded seismic signal'"'"'s unique signal characteristic and repeating steps a, b, and c for the purpose of effecting at least one additional control action at said isolated distributed recorder and for the purpose of obtaining additional seismic data concerning the sub-surface geology.

21. A system for gathering seismic data and for remotely controlling isolated distributed recorders in a seismic data gathering Isolated Distributed Recording System, comprising:

(a) a source for transmitting an encoded acoustic waveform having a unique signal characteristic; and

(b) an isolated distributed recorder for detecting said encoded acoustic waveform, said isolated distributed recorder being preconditioned to produce a desired control action in response to selected encoded acoustic waveforms, said isolated distributed recorder including;

means for correlating said transmitted encoded acoustic waveform with at least one correlating encoded signal, said correlating encoded signal having a unique signal characteristic;

means for producing a desired preselected control action upon correlation between said transmitted encoded acoustic waveform and said at least one correlating encoded signal;

means for storing said detected encoded acoustic waveform at said isolated distributed recorder; and

means for referencing the time of arrival at said isolated distributed recorder of said detected encoded acoustic waveform to the time said encoded acoustic waveform was generated by said source.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein said unique signal characteristic corresponds to a code based upon a version of a vibrator sweep.

28. The system of claim 21, 23, 26, or 27 wherein said control action consists of selecting the recorder'"'"'s amplitude setting.

29. The system of claim 21, 23, 26, or 27 wherein said control action consists of selecting the recorder'"'"'s phase setting.

30. The system of claim 21, 23, 26, or 27 wherein said control action consists of selecting the recorder'"'"'s signal filter levels.

31. The system of claim 21, 23, 26, or 27 wherein said control action consists of selecting the recorder'"'"'s rate of data recording.

32. The system of claim 21, 23, 26, or 27 wherein said control action consists of selecting the recorder'"'"'s recording mode ("on" or "off").

23. A system for gathering seismic data and remotely controlling an Isolated Distributed Recording System, comprising:

(a) a source for transmitting an encoded acoustic waveform having a unique signal characteristic corresponding to a binary code of maximal length; and

(b) an isolated distributed recorder for detecting said encoded acoustic waveform and preconditioned so as to produce a desired control action in response to selected detected encoded acoustic waveforms, said isolated distributed recorder including;

means for correlating said transmitted encoded acoustic waveform with at least one correlating encoded signal, said correlating encoded signal having a unique signal characteristic in accordance with said binary code of maximal length;

means for producing a desired preselected control action upon correlation between said transmitted encoded acoustic waveform and said at least one correlating encoded signal;

means for storing said detected encoded acoustic waveform at said isolated distributed recorder; and

means for referencing the time of arrival at said isolated distributed recorder of said detected encoded acoustic waveform to the time said encoded acoustic waveform was generated by said source.

24. The system of claims 23 or 27 wherein said encoded acoustic signal is generated by at least one controlled vibration means.

25. The system of claims 23 or 27 wherein said encoded acoustic signal is an encoded air-pressure wave.

26. A system for gathering seismic data and remotely controlling an Isolated Distributed Recording System, comprising:

(a) a source for transmitting an encoded acoustic signal having a unique signal characteristic; and

(b) an isolated distributed recorder for detecting said encoded acoustic signal, including said encoded acoustic signal'"'"'s associated waveforms, and preconditioned so as to produce a desired control action in response to selected detected encoded acoustic signals, said isolated distributed recorder including;

means for correlating said transmitted encoded acoustic signal with at least one correlating encoded signal, said correlating encoded signal having a unique signal characteristic;

means for producing a desired preselected control action upon correlation between said transmitted encoded acoustic signal and said at least one correlating encoded signal;

means for storing said detected encoded acoustic signal, including said associated waveforms, at said isolated distributed recorder; and

means for referencing the time of arrival at said isolated distributed recorder of said detected encoded acoustic signal and said related waveforms to the time said detected encoded acoustic signal and said related waveforms were generated by said source so that said encoded acoustic signal and said related waveforms function to provide information for the selection and control of said isolated distributed recorder and also function to provide information concerning the sub-surface geology.

27. A seismic data gathering system, comprising:

(a) a source for generating and transmitting encoded seismic waveforms for use in said seismic data gathering system, said encoded seismic waveforms having a unique signal characteristics; and

(b) at least one isolated distributed recorder which includes;

means responsive to said encoded seismic waveforms for effecting at least one desired control action at said isolated distributed recorder; and

means for storing and time-referencing the time of arrival at said isolated distributed recorder of said encoded seismic waveforms so that said encoded seismic waveforms function to provide information for the selection and control of said isolated distributed recorder and also function to provide information concerning the sub-surface geology.