An underwater observation apparatus includes an observation apparatus body, a weight structure, a coupling device, and a fusion cutting device. The observation apparatus body is configured to house at least a power source, a communication circuit for a communication device, and a signal processing device. The coupling device couples the observation apparatus body with the weight structure via a remote-controlled release structure capable of releasing the observation apparatus body from the weight structure. The underwater observation apparatus also includes a power feeding coil located inside of a glass sphere to generate magnetic flux, and a power receiving coil located outside of the glass sphere. The power receiving coil generates an induced voltage when interlinked by the magnetic flux generated by the power feeding coil. The power receiving coil is configured to supply drive power to the fusion cutting device.

A system for collecting and managing seismic data via an external communications network comprises one or more seismic stations, each including a seismic measurement apparatus producing seismic signals, a station processor converting the signals to seismic data, a station memory securely storing the seismic data on site and a station communication interface transmitting the seismic data onto an external network. The system further comprises one or more data servers, each including a server computing device, a server communication interface receiving the seismic data from the seismic stations and a server memory storing the received seismic data. The data server can determine if the received seismic data satisfies predetermined conditions for certification and/or triggering a payout in accordance with a contract, and can thereafter transmit the appropriate data signals to another location on the external communications network.

Example sensor assemblies, seismic sensor incorporating the sensor assemblies, and methods relating thereto are disclosed. In an embodiment, the sensor assembly includes an electrically conductive outer housing, and an electrically insulating holder disposed within the outer housing. The holder comprises a recess. In addition, the sensor assembly includes a sensor element disposed within the recess of the holder. The sensor element is electrically insulated from outer housing by the holder.

A seismic data acquisition positioning apparatus is provided. The apparatus can include a seismic data acquisition unit. The unit can include a case having an internal compartment. The unit can include a power source, a clock, a seismic data recorder, a control unit, and at least one sensor disposed within the case. The apparatus can include a hanging unit including a beacon unit. The apparatus can include a connector having a first end coupled with the seismic data acquisition unit and having a second end coupled with the hanging unit. The connector can pivot about the first end of the connector.

A hybrid, modularized, tailored and re-configurable distributed monitoring and characterization device for bodies of water and sediments, including oceans, lakes, rivers, and water reservoirs. The device includes individual nodes, which are deployed as either a stand-alone or networked system. Each node is a multi-physics and multi-purpose piece of equipment with electronics and sensors configured into different modules which interconnect similar to building blocks. The device provides two housing options: a hard shell housing option for shallow water and an oil-filled soft shell housing scheme for deep water.

Apparatus and methods of identifying rock properties in real-time during drilling, are provided. An apparatus includes an acoustic sensor installed in a drilling fluid circulation system of a drilling rig, the acoustic sensor coupled to one of the following: (i) a bell nipple, (ii) a gooseneck, or (iii) a standpipe. Raw acoustic sensor data generated real-time as a result of rotational contact of the drill bit with rock during drilling is received, and a plurality of acoustic characteristics are derived from the raw acoustic sensor data. The lithology type of rock undergoing drilling may be determined from the acoustic characteristics. Petrophysical properties of the rock undergoing drilling may be determined using a petrophysical properties evaluation algorithm employable to predict the petrophysical properties of rock undergoing drilling from the raw acoustic sensor data.

An underwater device having an outer surface that presents at least one cavity into which microorganisms are subject to grow, wherein said at least one cavity is covered or at least partially filled with an anti-adhesive device whose thickness is superior to 1 millimeter, and corresponding method for preventing microorganisms' growth and method of use.

Systems and methods for vibration attenuation, and for investigating a subsurface volume of interest from a borehole. System embodiments may include a vibration attenuation system, comprising: at least one vibration attenuator configured to dynamically isolate a vibration source, the at least one vibration attenuator comprising metamaterial defining a plurality of cells; wherein at least one cell of the plurality of cells comprises a plurality of sub-cells azimuthally arrayed about an axis of alignment, and at least one sub-cell of the plurality is defined by a solid, the at least one sub-cell including a plurality of cell segments substantially oriented in alignment with a mapping geometry comprising an inversion of a canonical tangent circles mapping. The vibration source may comprise an acoustic source. The system may have an enclosure having the acoustic source and the at least one receiver disposed therein, with the at least one acoustic attenuator is positioned between.

A system for collecting and managing parametric data via an external communications network comprises one or more parametric stations operatively connected via the external network to a certification server and a payout server. Each parametric station is configured to receive parametric data from a remote source, determine that the parametric data satisfies a predetermined condition, and transmit the parametric data over the external network to the certification server in response to the parametric data satisfying the predetermined condition. The certification server is configured to generate a certification report based on the parametric data and a data model related to the remote source and transmit the generated certification report to the payout server. The payout server is configured to determine that terms of an associated contract are satisfied based on the certification report, and trigger a payout based on the terms that are satisfied based on the certification report.

A seismic sensor 10 comprises an acceleration acquisition unit 21, an acceleration waveform generation unit 22, a frequency sensing unit 24, and an earthquake determination unit 25. The acceleration acquisition unit 21 detects vibration and measures the acceleration of the vibration. The acceleration waveform generation unit 22 generates an acceleration waveform that indicates the relation between the elapsed time and the acceleration measured by the acceleration acquisition unit 21. The frequency sensing unit 24 senses the frequency of the acceleration waveform generated by the acceleration waveform generation unit 22 using a zero-crossing method. The earthquake determination unit 25 determines whether or not there is an earthquake on the basis of the frequency sensed by the frequency sensing unit 24.