Method and apparatus for estimating lithofacies by learning well logs

A method of estimating lithofacies by learning well logs, the method comprising:

• a model formation step of forming lithofacies estimation model to output lithofacies corresponding to measured depth when the well logs are input based on train data sets comprising train data having values of multiple factors included in the well logs, the values being arranged corresponding to measured depth, and label data having lithofacies corresponding to measured depth as answers;
• and
• lithofacies estimation step of inputting unseen data having values of multiple factors included in well logs acquired from a well at which lithofacies are to be estimated, the values being arranged corresponding to measured depth, to the lithofacies estimation model to estimate lithofacies corresponding to measured depth,
• wherein the model formation step and the lithofacies estimation step are driven by a processor,
• wherein the model formation step comprises:
• a train data set generation step of generating train data sets comprising train data having values of the multiple factors included in the well logs, the values being arranged corresponding to measured depth, and label data having lithofacies corresponding to measured depth as answers, wherein a method of sampling data to be included in the train data sets is diversified such that at least some thereof generate another plurality of train data sets;
• a model training step of training the lithofacies estimation model to output lithofacies corresponding to measured depth when the well logs are input, wherein lithofacies estimation models having various structures are trained using the plurality of train data sets, at least some of which are different from each other, in order to train a plurality of lithofacies estimation models different in at least one structure from the train data sets;
• and
• a model selection step of evaluating performance of the plurality of lithofacies estimation models different in at least one structure from the train data sets and selecting lithofacies estimation model having highest performance,
• wherein the train data set generation step comprises generating a plurality of train data sets comprising a plurality of well logs, at least some of which are different from each other, by performing at least one of:
• optimal rate sampling for generating a plurality of train data sets at various rates in order to determine an optimal rate of data to be used as train data sets and data to be used as test data in the well logs;
• uniform lithofacies sampling for selecting data such that lithofacies rates of well logs included in the train data sets are uniform;
• random repetitive sampling for randomly extracting data from one or more well logs, wherein a determination is made as to whether each lithofacies included in finally extracted data exists at more than a predetermined rate and, in a case in which a specific lithofacies is included at less than the predetermined rate, extraction of data is repeated;
• similar pattern sampling for extracting, in well units, well logs having a pattern similar to a pattern of a value of a specific factor of the well logs acquired from the well at which lithofacies are to be estimated in order to generate train data sets;
• cluster sampling for selecting well logs acquired from a well belonging to a cluster predicted to have strata similar to strata of the well at which lithofacies are to be estimated in order to generate train data sets;
• or
• depth factor sampling for differently selecting a range of measured depths and a number and kind of factors included in train data sets configured to have a two-dimensional array structure;
• a transmission step of transmitting the estimated lithofacies to a user;
• a determining step of determining, by the user based on the transmitted estimated lithofacies from the lithofacies estimation step, the existence of subsurface natural resources at the measured depth within the well;
• and
• a drilling step of drilling to the measured depth within the well, based on the existence of subsurface natural resources determined in the determining step.

An apparatus for estimating lithofacies by learning well logs, the apparatus comprising:

• a well log database (DB) configured to store well logs, which are data acquired through measurement and analysis after drilling on strata, and lithofacies corresponding to measured depth;
• a train data set generation unit configured to generate train data sets comprising train data having values of multiple factors included in the well logs, the values being arranged corresponding to measured depth using data stored in the well log DB, and label data having lithofacies corresponding to measured depth as answers;
• a model training unit configured to train lithofacies estimation model to output lithofacies corresponding to measured depth when the well logs are input using the train data sets generated by the train data set generation unit;
• and
• lithofacies estimation unit configured to input unseen data having values of multiple factors included in well logs acquired from a well at which lithofacies are to be estimated, the values being arranged corresponding to measured depth, to the lithofacies estimation model trained by the model training unit in order to estimate lithofacies corresponding to measured depth,
• wherein
• the train data sets and the unseen data are measured values of the multiple factors included in the well logs corresponding to a target measured depth, a measured depth shallower than the target measured depth, and a measured depth deeper than the target measured depth, the measured values being disposed in a two-dimensional array structure based on the well logs acquired from the well at which lithofacies are to be estimated, and
• the lithofacies estimation model has a convolution neural network structure configured to output a probability of the lithofacies at the target measured depth corresponding in kind to the lithofacies included in the label data of the train data sets for each kind of lithofacies using the train data sets and to decide lithofacies having highest probability as an estimated lithofacies,
• wherein the two-dimensional array structure comprises:
• the measured depth located in a first column;
• and
• one or more factors located in subsequent columns,
• wherein the measured depth is arranged in odd-numbered rows with the target depth placed at the center, and the measured depth is arranged in order,
• wherein the lithofacies estimation model learns information about strata at the target measured depth and learns information about strata shallower than the target measured depth and strata deeper than the target measured depth, and
• wherein the train data set generation unit, the model training unit, and the lithofacies estimation unit are realized as program code and driven by a processor;
• and
• a display configured to transmit the estimated lithofacies to a user, wherein the user can determine, based on the transmitted estimated lithofacies from the lithofacies estimation unit, the existence of subsurface natural resources at the measured depth within the well, such that the user can drill to the measured depth within the well, based on the existence of subsurface natural resources determined in the determining step.

An apparatus for estimating lithofacies by learning well logs, the apparatus comprising:

• a well log database (DB) configured to store well logs, which are data acquired through measurement and analysis after drilling on strata, and lithofacies corresponding to measured depth;
• a train data set generation unit configured to generate train data sets comprising train data having values of multiple factors included in the well logs, the values being arranged corresponding to measured depth using data stored in the well log DB, and label data having lithofacies corresponding to measured depth as answers;
• a model training unit configured to train lithofacies estimation model to output lithofacies corresponding to measured depth when the well logs are input using the train data sets generated by the train data set generation unit;
• and
• lithofacies estimation unit configured to input unseen data having values of multiple factors included in well logs acquired from a well at which lithofacies are to be estimated, the values being arranged corresponding to measured depth, to the lithofacies estimation model trained by the model training unit in order to estimate lithofacies corresponding to measured depth,
• wherein
• the train data set generation unit generates train data sets comprising train data having values of the multiple factors included in the well logs, the values being arranged corresponding to measured depth, and label data having lithofacies corresponding to measured depth as answers, wherein a method of sampling data to be included in the train data sets is diversified such that at least some thereof generate another plurality of train data sets,
• the model training unit trains the lithofacies estimation model to output lithofacies corresponding to measured depth when the well logs are input, wherein lithofacies estimation models having various structures are trained using the plurality of train data sets, at least some of which are different from each other, in order to train a plurality of lithofacies estimation models different in at least one structure from the train data sets, and
• the apparatus further comprises a model selection unit configured to evaluate performance of the plurality of lithofacies estimation models different in at least one structure from the train data sets and to select lithofacies estimation model having highest performance,
• wherein the train data set generation unit, the model training unit, the lithofacies estimation unit, and the model selection unit are realized as program code and driven by a processor,
• wherein the train data set generation unit generates a plurality of train data sets comprising a plurality of well logs, at least some of which are different from each other, by performing at least one of:
• optimal rate sampling for generating a plurality of train data sets at various rates in order to determine an optimal rate of data to be used as train data sets and data to be used as test data in the well logs;
• uniform lithofacies sampling for selecting data such that lithofacies rates of well logs included in the train data sets are uniform;
• random repetitive sampling for randomly extracting data from one or more well logs, wherein a determination is made as to whether each lithofacies included in finally extracted data exists at more than a predetermined rate and, in a case in which a specific lithofacies is included at less than the predetermined rate, extraction of data is repeated;
• similar pattern sampling for extracting, in well units, well logs having a pattern similar to a pattern of a value of a specific factor of the well logs acquired from the well at which lithofacies are to be estimated in order to generate train data sets;
• cluster sampling for selecting well logs acquired from a well belonging to a cluster predicted to have strata similar to strata of the well at which lithofacies are to be estimated in order to generate train data sets;
• or
• depth factor sampling for differently selecting a range of measured depths and a number and kind of factors included in train data sets configured to have a two-dimensional array structure;
• and
• the apparatus further comprises a display configured to transmit the estimated lithofacies to a user, wherein the user can determine, based on the transmitted estimated lithofacies from the lithofacies estimation unit, the existence of subsurface natural resources at the measured depth within the well, such that the user can drill to the measured depth within the well, based on the existence of subsurface natural resources determined in the determining step.