Method and System for Geophysical Modeling of Subsurface Volumes Based on Label Propagation
AssigneeExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
InventorsPavel Dimitrov, Matthias Imhof
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Method and system are described for generating a stratigraphic model of a subsurface volume. Measured geophysical data are converted into a vector volume (106) by assigning to each sample in each trace in the data volume a vector representing dip, azimuth or confidence. Then a labeled volume is generated from the vector volume by assigning a label to each sample in an initial trace (1006), then selecting a propagation pattern (1008) and propagating the labels to other traces (1010). Horizons can be extracted (110) from the labeled volume, and utilized to enhance the process of producing hydrocarbons (114).
Claims36
A method of converting data into a subsurface model comprising:
- obtaining a data volume associated with a subsurface volume, wherein the data volume has a plurality of traces and each of the plurality of traces includes a plurality of samples;
- forming a vector volume from the data volume, using a computer, wherein each sample within one or more of the traces in the data volume is assigned a vector representing one or more of dip, azimuth and confidence;
- using the computer, generating a labeled volume based on the vector volume by propagating labels from at least one initial trace, wherein each of the samples is associated with one of the labels;
- one or more of storing the labeled volume in memory accessible by a computer system and displaying the labeled volume on a display accessible by the computer system;
- and
- using the labeled volume to generate a subsurface model.
A method of producing hydrocarbons comprising:
- utilizing a labeled volume to determine the location of hydrocarbons, wherein the labeled volume is created by:
- obtaining a data volume associated with a subsurface volume having hydrocarbons, wherein the data volume has a plurality of traces and each of the plurality of traces include a plurality of samples;
- forming a vector volume from the data volume, wherein the each sample within one or more traces is assigned a vector representing one or more of dip, azimuth and confidence;
- generating the labeled volume based on the vector volume by propagating labels from at least one initial trace, wherein each sample is associated with a label;
- identifying a potential hydrocarbon reservoir from the labeled volume;
- drilling a well to access the hydrocarbons;
- and
- producing the hydrocarbons from the well.
A system for converting data into a subsurface model comprising:
- a processor;
- a tangible, non-transitory machine-readable storage medium that stores a set of instructions for execution by the processor, wherein the set of instructions are configured to:
- obtain a data volume associated with a subsurface volume, wherein the data volume has a plurality of traces and each of the plurality of traces include a plurality of samples;
- form a vector volume from the data volume, wherein the each data sample within one or more traces is assigned a vector representing one or more of dip, azimuth and confidence;
- generate a labeled volume based on the vector volume by propagating labels from at least one initial trace, wherein each sample is associated with a label;
- provide access to one or more of store the labeled volume in memory accessible by the processor and display the labeled volume on a display;
- and
- use the labeled volume to generate a subsurface model.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.