Seismic while drilling using a large-aperture ocean bottom array

We present the results of a pilot test where we passively monitored the drilling of an appraisal well in the Wisting discovery in the Barents Sea with an ocean-bottom cable deployed temporarily around the drilling rig. The continuous passive recording of drilling vibration signals emitted during the drilling of the well, provides a seismic while drilling (SWD) dataset, which is investigated as a reverse vertical seismic profile (RVSP). The study demonstrates the effectiveness of the approach and points to future applications for real-time monitoring of the drilling progress, both in terms of geosteering the drill bit and predict formation properties ahead of the bit.