Patent ID: 7773456

Claim:
A method of geophysical exploration within a predetermined volume of the earth containing subsurface structural and stratigraphic features conducive to the generation, migration, accumulation, or presence of subsurface resources, comprising the steps of: a. positioning a plurality of surface seismic receivers on the surface of the earth; b. positioning at least one well seismic receiver within a well; c. obtaining signals representative of a seismic energy source from said plurality of surface seismic receivers and from said at least one well seismic receiver, thereby obtaining a plurality of surface seismic signals and at least one well seismic signal; d. selecting one of said at least one well seismic signal, thereby selecting one of said at least one well seismic receiver; e. cross correlating each of said plurality of surface seismic signals with said selected one of said at least one well seismic signal, thereby producing a plurality of virtual source signals; f. combining said plurality of virtual source signals to obtain a virtual source seismic signal; g. determining at least approximately a surface location corresponding to a minimum time travel path from said selected one of said well seismic receiver to the surface of the earth; h. associating said surface location with said virtual source seismic signal; and, i. using said virtual source seismic signal and said surface location to explore for subsurface resources within the predetermined volume of the earth.