Method and apparatus for measuring seismic parameters of a seismic vibrator

• US 9,234,972 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2015
• Issued: 01/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shell USA Incorporated (Shell Plc)
• Original Assignee: Shell Oil Company (Shell Plc)
• Inventors: Lupton, Robert Martindale, Westwood, William Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): STAFIRA, MICHAEL PATRICK
• Application Number:
  US14/626,069
• Publication Number:
  US 20150168571A1
• Time in Patent Office: 327 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/16 for measuring the deformation in a solid, e.g. optical strain gauge
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 9/004 using fibre optic sensors light guides per se G02B6/00, acousto-optical devices specially adapted for gating or modulating in optical wave guides G02F1/125
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/0475 for controlling "Ground Force"
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/16 Receiving elements for seismic signals; Arrangements or adaptations of receiving elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/226 Optoseismic systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/16 using optical fibres

Abstract

Apparatus and techniques for measuring seismic parameters, such as ground force, of a seismic vibrator used for generating seismic signals through a geological formation are provided. The seismic vibrator has a base plate positionable adjacent a ground surface of the geological formation. A sensor pad may be provided with an optical cable positionable between the base plate of the seismic vibrator and the ground surface of the geological formation, a laser for passing a light through the optical cable, and a detector for detecting disturbances in the laser light whereby a ground force applied to the ground surface may be determined.

Claims

1. A sensor pad for measuring seismic parameters of a seismic vibrator, the seismic vibrator for generating seismic waves through a geological formation, the seismic vibrator having a base plate positionable adjacent a ground surface of the geological formation, the sensor pad comprising:

an optical cable positionable between the base plate of the seismic vibrator and the ground surface of the geological formation, and positioned in at least one winding along an engagement surface of the base plate;

a laser for passing a light through the optical cable; and

a detector for detecting disturbances in the light whereby a ground force of the seismic vibrator may be determined.

2. The sensor pad of claim 1, wherein the optical cable is distributed over at least a portion of the base plate.

3. The sensor pad of claim 1, further comprising a protective layer positionable about the optical cable.

4. The sensor pad of claim 3, wherein the protective layer is selected from the group consisting of neoprene molded about the optical cable, a mat, a pad wafer, an adhesive layer, and combinations thereof.

5. The sensor pad of claim 1, further comprising a securing agent between the cable and the base plate.

6. The sensor pad of claim 1, wherein the optical cable is one of a single mode fiber optic cable, a multi-mode fiber optic cable, a microelectromechanical optical cable, a distributed optical cable and combinations thereof.

7. The sensor pad of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor.

8. The sensor pad of claim 1, wherein the seismic parameter is one of a ground force, a stress, a strain, and combinations thereof.

9. A method for measuring seismic parameters, comprising:

positioning a seismic pad on a base plate of a seismic vibrator, the seismic pad comprising, a laser, a detector, and an optical cable positioned in at least one winding along an engagement surface of the base plate;

positioning the seismic pad of the base plate adjacent a ground surface of a geological formation;

generating seismic waves through the geological formation with the seismic vibrator;

passing a light from the laser through the optical cable; and

determining a ground force of the seismic vibrator by detecting disturbances in the light.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the optical cable is positioned between the base plate of the seismic vibrator and the ground surface of the geological formation.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the optical cable is distributed over at least a portion of the base plate.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing a protective layer about the optical cable.

13. A seismic system for measuring seismic parameters, comprising:

a seismic vibrator for generating seismic waves through a geological formation, the seismic vibrator having a base plate positionable adjacent a ground surface of the geological formation; and

a seismic pad positionable between the base plate of the seismic vibrator and the ground surface of the geological formation, the seismic pad comprising;

an optical cable positionable between the base plate of the seismic vibrator and the ground surface of the geological formation;

a laser for passing a light through the optical cable; and

a detector for detecting disturbances in the light whereby a ground force of the seismic vibrator may be determined.

14. The seismic system of claim 13, wherein the optical cable is distributed over at least a portion of the base plate.

15. The seismic system of claim 14, wherein the optical cable is positioned in at least one winding along an engagement surface of the base plate.

16. The seismic system of claim 13, further comprising an investigation unit.