Radiation pattern and seismic waves generated by a working roller‐cone drill bit

Abstract

The seismic body wave radiation pattern of a working roller‐cone drill bit can be characterized by theoretical modeling and field data examples. Our model of drill‐bit signal generation is a pseudo‐random series of bit‐tooth impacts that create both axial forces and tangential torques about the borehole axis. Each drill tooth impact creates an extensional wave that travels up the drill string and body waves that radiate into the earth. The model predicts that P‐waves radiate primarily along the axis of the borehole, and shear waves radiate primarily perpendicular to the borehole axis. In a vertical hole, the largest P‐waves will be recorded directly above and below the drill bit; whereas, the largest shear waves will be recorded in a horizontal plane containing the drill bit. In a deviated borehole, the radiation patterns should be rotated by the inclination angle of the drill bit. This proposed seismic body wave radiation pattern is investigated with field data examples. The presence of the drill string in the borehole creates other wave modes that are not typically observed when conventional vertical seismic profiles (VSPs) are conducted in fluid‐filled wells. For example, the extensional wave traveling up the drill string creates a head wave traveling away from the drill string, provided the formation velocities adjacent to the borehole are less than the drill‐string velocity. Likewise, when the extensional wave traveling up the drill string reaches the drill rig, some of the energy continues through the drill rig structure, re‐enters the earth, and travels away from the rig as ground roll or shallow refractions. Secondary events are radiated at the drill bit after they travel up the drill string, reflect off drill‐string discontinuities, and travel back down the drill string to the bit. Each of these drill‐bit arrivals has a characteristic moveout as a function of wellhead offset and drill‐bit depth. A knowledge of the radiation patterns and the wave modes generated by the drill bit is essential to interpreting drill‐bit wavefields.