Collision avoidance system with offset wellbore vibration analysis

A method for collision avoidance in a wellbore comprising the steps of:

• capturing vibration signals in at least one offset wellbore using an inclinometer;
• receiving the vibration signals at a data processing system;
• comparing the vibration signals to baseline vibration signals to determine changes in a vibration response;
• calculating a distance change between a central wellbore and the at least one offset wellbore based on the comparison of the vibration signals and the baseline vibration signals;
• and
• utilizing the distance change to avoid a collision.

A method of avoiding wellbore collisions by determining relative movement of a drill bit within a central wellbore comprising the steps of:

• determining an original distance between the central wellbore and an offset wellbore;
• drilling in the central wellbore so that the drill bit moves a known distance with respect to the offset wellbore;
• capturing vibration readings during the drilling step;
• characterizing movement of the drill bit based on the drilling step;
• and
• calculating drill bit movement during drilling with respect to the offset wellbore based upon the characterizing step.