Patent ID: 9702991
Date: 2017-07-11
CPC Classifications: G01V

Claim:
1. A method of seismic exploration above a region of the subsurface of the earth containing structural or stratigraphic features conducive to the presence, migration, or accumulation of hydrocarbons, the method comprising: (a) selecting a controllable source; (b) selecting a plurality of parameters characteristic of said controllable source; (c) determining limiting curves for each of said selected plurality of parameters as a function of frequency; (d) using said determined limiting curves to obtain a constraint curve for said controllable source; (e) using said constraint curve to obtain a sweep signal for said controllable source; and, (f) using said sweep signal in conjunction with said controllable source to collect seismic data proximate to a region of the subsurface of the earth as part of a sweep profile in which the controllable source operates at or near its maximum acoustic power output to minimize a duration of the sweep or to maximize achievable amplitude for a target frequency profile when the sweep has a predetermined duration.