US 2006/0077757 A1 · Apparatus and method for seismic measurement-while-drilling

Abstract

An apparatus and method for seismic measurement-while-drilling comprises at least one of a downhole seismic receiver or a downhole seismic source deployed in a telemetry drill string. Preferably both a downhole receiver and a downhole source are deployed in the drill string, the source and receiver being fixed at a pre-determined distance from each other. As drilling progresses into a subterranean formation, a first seismic shot is performed at a first level, producing a model characteristic of the subterranean formation, and at least one subsequent seismic shot is performed at at least one subsequent level, producing at least a second model characteristic of the subterranean formation. The first and at least the second model are used in combination to evaluate the subterranean formation and to evaluate the progress of the drill string relative to the formation.

Claims36

Dependent claims

A method for seismic measurement-while-drilling, comprising:

providing a downhole seismic source and providing a downhole seismic receiver in a drill string;
the source and receiver being fixed at a pre-determined distance from each other;
producing a model characteristic of the subterranean formation by performing a first seismic shot at a first feqeuncy at a first level as drilling progresses into a subterranean formation producing at least a second model that is characteristic of the subterranean formation by performing at least one subsequent seismic shot of a higher frequency at at least one subsequent level,;
using the first and at least the second model in combination to evaluate the subterranean formation and to evaluate the progress of the drill string relative to the formation.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and method for seismic measurement-while-drilling

Life of this patent

Apparatus and method for seismic measurement-while-drilling

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims36