Seismic acquisition system including a distributed sensor having an optical fiber
First Claim
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1. A seismic acquisition system, comprising:
- a seismic sensor system to detect seismic signals and seismic noise generated during a survey of a subterranean structure, the seismic sensor system including a distributed optical sensor that comprises a generally continuous length of optical fiber without discrete sensors for positioning outside the subterranean structure for detection of the seismic noise;
a processing subsystem; and
an interrogation subsystem configured to;
generate optical pulses to emit into the generally continuous length of optical fiber, wherein the optical pulses are selected to provide a spatial resolution that is less than a wavelength of the seismic noise;
receive, from the distributed optical sensor, backscattered light generated by inhomogeneities at locations extending along the continuous length of optical fiber responsive to the emitted optical pulses, wherein the backscattered light generated by the inhomogeneities is indicative of at least the seismic noise; and
output data corresponding to the backscattered light to the processing subsystem to determine a characteristic of the subterranean structure, wherein the output data includes a measurement of the detected seismic noise,wherein the processing subsystem uses the measurement of the detected seismic noise to at least reduce components of seismic noise that are present in the detected seismic signals.
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Abstract
A seismic acquisition system includes a distributed optical sensor (having an optical fiber) and an interrogation subsystem configured to generate a light signal to emit into the optical fiber. The interrogation subsystem receives, from the distributed optical sensor, backscattered light responsive to the emitted light signal, wherein the backscattered light is affected by one or both of seismic signals reflected from a subterranean structure and noise. Output data corresponding to the backscattered light is provided to a processing subsystem to determine a characteristic of the subterranean structure.
138 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A seismic acquisition system, comprising:
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a seismic sensor system to detect seismic signals and seismic noise generated during a survey of a subterranean structure, the seismic sensor system including a distributed optical sensor that comprises a generally continuous length of optical fiber without discrete sensors for positioning outside the subterranean structure for detection of the seismic noise; a processing subsystem; and an interrogation subsystem configured to; generate optical pulses to emit into the generally continuous length of optical fiber, wherein the optical pulses are selected to provide a spatial resolution that is less than a wavelength of the seismic noise; receive, from the distributed optical sensor, backscattered light generated by inhomogeneities at locations extending along the continuous length of optical fiber responsive to the emitted optical pulses, wherein the backscattered light generated by the inhomogeneities is indicative of at least the seismic noise; and output data corresponding to the backscattered light to the processing subsystem to determine a characteristic of the subterranean structure, wherein the output data includes a measurement of the detected seismic noise, wherein the processing subsystem uses the measurement of the detected seismic noise to at least reduce components of seismic noise that are present in the detected seismic signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method comprising:
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providing a seismic sensor system to detect seismic signals and seismic noise generated during a survey of a subterranean structure, the seismic sensor system including a distributed optical sensor that comprises a generally continuous length of optical fiber without discrete sensors for positioning outside the subterranean structure to detect at least the seismic noise; detecting the seismic signals; detecting the seismic noise by; emitting optical pulses into the generally continuous length of optical fiber, wherein the optical pulses are selected to provide a spatial resolution that is less than a wavelength of the seismic noise; receiving backscattered light generated by inhomogeneities located along the continuous length of optical fiber responsive to the emitted optical pulses, wherein the backscattered light generated by the inhomogeneities is indicative of at least the seismic noise; and processing, by a processing subsystem, data relating to the backscattered light to determine the seismic noise and use the determined seismic noise to at least reduce components of seismic noise in the detected seismic signals. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification