Structural trend predictor for 2D cross sections

A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions executable by a computer system to perform operations comprising:

• receiving a cross section with visible geological fault markers for geological structures;
• measuring, using the cross section, a fault inclination angle;
• determining, using the cross section, an average seismic velocity to convert z-axis values from a two-way travel time to a depth, and implement a depth conversion;
• comparing a horizontal scale and a vertical scale to determine an aspect ratio of a depth section of the cross section, comprising determining a vertical exaggeration;
• correcting the aspect ratio of the depth section for the vertical exaggeration to obtain an accurate measurement of the fault inclination angle in the cross section;
• determining, for the depth section, a structural style and an expected true fault inclination;
• determining, using the expected true fault inclination compared with the angle of inclination of the fault, an angle of obliquity and a structural trend;
• and
• adjusting drilling operations of a well, by modifying drilling parameters of a drill bit, relative to the angle of obliquity and the structural trend.

A computer-implemented system, comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium coupled to the one or more processors and storing programming instructions for execution by the one or more processors, the programming instructions instructing the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
• receiving a cross section with visible geological fault markers for geological structures;
• measuring, using the cross section, a fault inclination angle;
• determining, using the cross section, an average seismic velocity to convert z-axis values from a two-way travel time to a depth, and implement a depth conversion;
• comparing a horizontal scale and a vertical scale to determine an aspect ratio of a depth section of the cross section, comprising determining a vertical exaggeration;
• correcting the aspect ratio of the depth section for the vertical exaggeration to obtain an accurate measurement of the fault inclination angle in the cross section;
• determining, for the depth section, a structural style and an expected true fault inclination;
• determining, using the expected true fault inclination compared with the angle of inclination of the fault, an angle of obliquity and a structural trend;
• and
• adjusting drilling operations of a well, by modifying drilling parameters of a drill bit, relative to the angle of obliquity and the structural trend.