Abstract:
Method, source array and source element that generate seismic waves. The source element includes an enclosure having an opening covered by a piston; a local supply accumulator fluidly communicating with an interior of the enclosure, a pressure of the fluid inside the local supply accumulator being larger than a pressure of the fluid inside the enclosure; a local supply valve located between the local supply accumulator and the enclosure and configured to control a flow of the fluid from the local supply accumulator to the interior of the enclosure; and a controller configured to control the local supply valve such that the pressure inside the enclosure does not fall below a first preset value based upon an ambient pressure of the enclosure while seismic waves are generated.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a downhole inertial mass seismic-source system, apparatus and method for use within a wellbore environment to provide seismic signal energy at a wellbore location. The system comprises a first inertial mass apparatus with a fluid plunger that is in contact with a first wellbore fluid chamber and a second wellbore fluid chamber, a second inertial mass apparatus with a fluid plunger in contact with the first well bore fluid chamber, a third inertial mass apparatus with a fluid plunger in contact with the second well bore fluid chamber, an Inertial Mass Control System (IMCS) connected to the first inertial mass apparatus, and a power source providing power to the Inertial Mass Control System.
Abstract:
The invention is an electric sweep type seismic vibrator source of the type used in seismic prospecting for hydrocarbons. The source uses an engine and generator combination to create electric power for all systems on the source such as driving a frame of linear electric motors that direct a rod or piston to contact the ground in a recurring fashion along with driving the source from location to location through a survey area. Preferably a foot is arranged on the bottom end of the rod or piston for contact with the ground and by engaging the grid of motors to push down against the ground in a rapid progression, acoustic energy is created and delivered into the ground for geophones to sense and record. However, the rapid progression of pulses or sweep of seismic energy is delivered in a distinctive fashion as compared to a conventional upsweep or downsweep and the distinctiveness is also achieved by creating a designed cadence or timing such that each pulse in a series of pulses is not delivered in a regular timing. Several similar seismic sources may be employed where each is provided with its own distinctive series of pulses such that each may be identified within the data record and source separation from a number of seismic sources may be accomplished.
Abstract:
A dipole source for borehole acoustic logging is provided, including a cylindrical shell, a center beam coupled to the cylindrical shell and a movable projector inside the cylindrical shell to impact the center beam. The dipole source includes a cavity acoustically insulating the interior of the cylindrical shell from the exterior of the cylindrical shell. An acoustic logging tool for making measurements of a substrate surrounding a borehole with a body insertable in the borehole is also provided. The body includes an acoustic detector and a dipole source as above, along the axial length. The acoustic logging tool may include a control unit to process data collected from the acoustic detector and obtain information about the substrate surrounding the borehole. According to embodiments disclosed herein, a method for operating a dipole source and an acoustic logging tool as above is provided.
Abstract:
Tunable down-hole stimulation systems feature closed-loop control of pumps and tunable down-hole stimulators. Stimulators generate and hydraulically transmit broad vibration spectra tuned for resonance excitation and fracturing of geologic materials adjacent to the wellbore. Feedback data for controlling stimulation includes backscatter vibration originating in stimulated geologic material and detected at the stimulator(s). For initial fracturing with relatively large particle sizes, the power spectral density (PSD) of each stimulator output is down-shifted toward the lower resonant frequencies of large particles. As fracturing proceeds to smaller (proppant-sized) fragments having higher resonant frequencies, backscatter vibration guides progressive up-shifting of stimulator PSD to higher vibration frequencies. Stimulator power requirements are minimized by concentrating vibration energy efficiently in frequency bands to which geologic materials are most sensitive at every stage of stimulation. Geologic fragmentation efficiency is thus optimized, with inherent potential for plain-water fracs completed with self-generated proppant.
Abstract:
The invention is an electric sweep type seismic vibrator source of the type used in seismic prospecting for hydrocarbons. The source uses an engine and generator combination to create electric power for all systems on the source such as driving a frame of linear electric motors that direct a rod or piston to contact the ground in a recurring fashion along with driving the source from location to location through a survey area. Preferably a foot is arranged on the bottom end of the rod or piston for contact with the ground and by engaging the grid of motors to push down against the ground in a rapid progression, acoustic energy is created and delivered into the ground for geophones to sense and record. However, the rapid progression of pulses or sweep of seismic energy is delivered in a distinctive fashion as compared to a conventional upsweep or downsweep and the distinctiveness is also achieved by creating a designed cadence or timing such that each pulse in a series of pulses is not delivered in a regular timing. Several similar seismic sources may be employed where each is provided with its own distinctive series of pulses such that each may be identified within the data record and source separation from a number of seismic sources may be accomplished.
Abstract:
The invention is an electric sweep type seismic vibrator source of the type used in seismic prospecting for hydrocarbons. The source uses an engine and generator combination to create electric power to drive a frame of linear electric motors that direct a rod or piston to contact the ground in a recurring fashion. Preferably, a foot is arranged on the bottom end of the rod or piston for contact with the ground and by engaging the grid of motors to push down against the ground in a rapid progression, acoustic energy is created and delivered into the ground for geophones to sense and record.
Abstract:
A seismic source signal apparatus for generating a seismic source signal may include a seismic source component for coupling a reaction mass to the earth; a controllable valve operatively connected to the seismic source component; and a controller controlling the controllable valve with a primary control signal generated by using a model of a response of the controllable valve over a selected operating range. The model is used to reduce nonlinearity in flow versus displacement response of the controllable valve.
Abstract:
Aspects described herein relate to an electromagnetic seismic vibrator (EMSV) architecture that provide wide frequency range operation, ground force application with high fidelity, and low environmental impact. The EMSV architecture can include a base member that can support a force coil and mitigate electrical heating due, at least in part, to spurious currents. The EMSV architecture can include means for restricting movement of a reaction member included in the EMSV architecture relative to the base member. Such means can permit mitigation of damage of the EMSV architecture in scenarios in which control of the EMSV architecture may fail.
Abstract:
In one embodiment of the present invention, a drive assembly for a seismic land vibrator is provided. The drive assembly comprises at least a first spring element. The first spring element operates in at least two vibration modes in a seismic frequency band of interest. The drive assembly also comprises a baseplate, a driver, and a reaction mass. The driver interacts with the reaction mass and the first spring element to transfer energy to the baseplate.