Drill‐bit position monitoring using seismic‐while‐drilling data; numerical and field examples from Sweden

Abstract The undesired drill‐bit deviation is a source of drilling risks and requires monitoring. Seismic‐while‐drilling one potential method to achieve this has been tested in number previous studies. In August 2020 Örebro, Sweden, we conducted an experiment test the feasibility seismic‐while‐drilling positioning other applications method. We used hammer signal generated while 200 m deep well hardrock conditions implemented vertical stacking subsequent impulsive signals from source, generating enhanced direct arrivals drill‐bit. Then, relative arrival times estimate position for selected bit depths, confirming our methodology with two numerical successfully estimated examples several real data examples, accuracy dependent on receiver array geometry quality data. conclude that shows near‐real‐time monitoring operations could be applicable both noise‐retrieved signals.