The present disclosure is directed to collecting and processing data from computing devices of a plurality of autonomous vehicles (AVs). The data received from each of these AV computing devices may include raw sensor data or data that has been generated using data received by one or more sensors at respective AVs. Once this data is collected and associated with discrete locations and times, the data may be evaluated and used to generate mappings of various sorts. These mappings may include mappings of underground features generated based on an evaluations of vibration data. Alternatively, or additionally, these mapping may include mappings of landscape features, atmospheric features, or the locations of aircraft from data associated with certain types of sensing apparatus, for example radar apparatus or light detecting and ranging (LiDAR) apparatus.

A nodal geophysical sensing system includes a ground contact sleeve defining an interior space and having at least one feature on an exterior thereof for contacting and compressing ground materials adjacent the exterior. A nodal geophysical sensor having a housing engages at least one feature on the interior space so as to enable acoustic energy transmission between the ground contact sleeve and the housing.

A geophysical sensor deployment apparatus designed to provide improved coupling between the sensor and the ground, includes a ram extendible through a ram guide. The guide has an opening for insertion of a geophysical sensor. The ram has a ground displacing bit at a movable end thereof. The ram and the guide are mounted to a frame. The mounting has a pivot and a plurality of angularly separated extension mechanisms disposed between the ram and guide and the frame whereby an elevation and an orientation of the ram and the guide are controllable by selective extension of each of the plurality of extension mechanisms.

A marine seismic sensor system includes a seismic node having at least one seismic sensor. The sensor is configured for sampling seismic energy when towed through a water column on a rope. The coupling can be adapted to modulate transmission of acceleration from the rope to the seismic node.

A method can include receiving an estimated spatial location of a three-component receiver in a borehole; receiving a plurality of spatial locations of sources of seismic energy; receiving incident angles for the three-component receiver at the estimated spatial location for the plurality of spatial locations of the sources of seismic energy; computing orientations for the three-component receiver based at least in part on the incident angles; minimizing an error function for the orientations; and, based at least in part on the minimizing, determining one or more deviation survey parameter values that specify at least a portion of a trajectory for the borehole.

An unmanned seismic vessel system can include a hull system configured to provide buoyancy and a storage apparatus configured for storing one or more seismic nodes, each seismic node having at least one seismic sensor configured to acquire seismic data. A deployment system can be configured for deploying the seismic nodes from the storage apparatus to the water column, where the seismic data are responsive to a seismic wavefield, with a controller configured to operate the deployment system so that the seismic nodes are automatically deployed in a seismic array.

A fiber optic cable in the present disclosure comprises: an outer tube having an inner surface and an outer surface; a fiber in metal tube (FIMT) comprising one or more optical fibers, wherein the FIMT is disposed within the outer tube, and wherein the outer surface of the FIMT and the inner surface of the outer tube form an annular space; and a cured gelling material in the annular space. By incorporating the cured gelling material into the annular space, fluid migration through the annular space can be reduced, and sheer stress for strain coupling of the FIMT and the outer tube can be increased.

A method and sensor device for recording seismic data. The sensor device includes a top section and a bottom section removably attached to the top section through a connecting plug. The bottom section holds a coupling material that is released into ground upon the bottom section impacting the ground.

A method for measuring subsidence and/or uprise on a field, comprises the steps of: deploying at least one cable on a solid surface; collecting inline tilt data from numerous tilt sensors deployed along each cable (100); and performing a statistical analysis on the tilt data to determine changes in curvature on the solid surface. Preferably, the statistical method involves computing a cumulative inline and/or cross-line tilt, whereby random errors cancel and systematic changes add. In addition, regression and/or interpolation may provide a quantitative estimate of curvature etc.

One or more wavegates are located on a seismic surface vessel to substantially prevent or limit waves from crashing onto a back deck of the vessel. The wavegate may comprise one or more steel gates or doors located at or near the aft portion of the vessel, such as on or near the rear end of the back deck, that may be moveable between a closed position and an open position. Each door may be fixed in position and/or be rotated and/or moveable in a horizontal and/or vertical direction between different positions. The wavegate allows the surface vessel to travel backwards and/or in the face of incoming waves while substantially preventing and/or limiting waves from crashing onto the back deck of the marine vessel. The seismic surface vessel may be a deployment vessel or a hybrid seismic shooting and deployment vessel or another marine surface vessel.