Drill bit as a seismic source for near-well imaging

We analyze the performance of the drill-bit seismic source for near-well investigation purposes. We test two different configurations, crosshole and single-well-imaging (SWI). The crosshole results are used to characterize the high-frequency content and to observe the radiation pattern of the drill bit source. These results are also used to analyze the stability in the signature of the drill-bit signal. We obtain appreciable results up to 350 Hz. The drill-bit data are used for SWI purposes by reference signal analysis in a drilled depth interval of approximately 140 m. The method allows us to detect reflections for prediction of the interfaces to be drilled, and the results are in agreement with other geophysical results and geological evidences.