Guiding drilling operations using a subsurface model based on full waveform inversion of seismic-while-drilling data

A method for guiding a drilling rig using a subsurface model, wherein said drilling rig comprises at least a drill, a drill support structure, and a drill control unit, and wherein said drill is positioned below a ground surface when said drill is in operation, the method comprising the steps of:

• obtaining surface seismic data using at least one surface sensor positioned on said ground surface at a distance from said drilling rig;
• processing said surface seismic data using a first full waveform inversion (FWI) to thereby produce a first approximation of a subsurface surrounding said drill;
• obtaining seismic-while-drilling (SWD) data from at least one subsurface sensor coupled to said drill;
• determining a drillbit signature;
• processing said first approximation, said drillbit source signature, and said SWD data using a second FWI to thereby produce said subsurface model;
• and
• using said subsurface model to guide said drilling rig.

Non-transitory computer-readable media having encoded thereon computer-readable and computer-executable instructions that, when executed, implement a method for guiding a drilling rig using a subsurface model, wherein said drilling rig comprises at least a drill, a drill support structure, and a drill control unit, and wherein said drill is positioned below a ground surface when said drill is in operation, the method comprising the steps of:

• obtaining surface seismic data using at least one surface sensor positioned on said ground surface at a distance from said drilling rig;
• processing said surface seismic data using a first full waveform inversion (FWI) to thereby produce a first approximation of a subsurface surrounding said drill;
• obtaining seismic-while-drilling (SWD) data from at least one subsurface sensor coupled to said drill;
• determining a drillbit signature;
• processing said first approximation, said drillbit source signature, and said SWD data using a second FWI to thereby produce said subsurface model;
• and
• using said subsurface model to guide said drilling rig.