Automated cell-to-cell calibration of subsidence information map in forward geological models

A non-transitory computer readable memory, having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, perform steps comprising:

• receiving an observed stratigraphic thickness map for a geological region of interest;
• receiving an initial bathymetry map and an initial subsidence sequence for a model of the geological region of interest, wherein the model comprises a plurality of cells each representing a geographically contiguous portion of the geological region;
• simulating, using a forward stratigraphic modeler, a predicted stratigraphic thickness map for each cell based on the initial subsidence sequence;
• iteratively or recursively, until a stopping criterion is met:
• forming an objective function for each cell based, at least in part, on the observed stratigraphic thickness map and the predicted stratigraphic thickness map,
• determining if the objective function for each cell satisfies the stopping criterion, and
• updating the subsidence sequence for cells not satisfying the stopping criterion;
• and
• assigning the subsidence sequence satisfying the stopping criterion to be a validated subsidence sequence and assigning the predicted stratigraphic map to be a calibrated stratigraphic map.

A system comprising:

• an inverse stratigraphic modeler, configured to:
• obtain an observed stratigraphic thickness map for a geological region of interest,
• obtain an initial bathymetry map and an initial subsidence sequence for a model of the geological region of interest, wherein the model comprises a plurality of cells each representing a geographically contiguous portion of the geological region,
• simulate, using a forward stratigraphic modeler, a predicted stratigraphic thickness map for each cell based on the initial subsidence sequence,
• iteratively or recursively, until a stopping criterion is met:
• form an objective function for each cell based, at least in part, on the observed stratigraphic thickness map and the predicted stratigraphic thickness map;
• determine if the objective function for each cell satisfies the stopping criterion;
• and
• update the subsidence sequence for cells not satisfying the stopping criterion, and
• assign the subsidence sequence satisfying the stopping criterion to be a validated subsidence sequence and assigning the predicted stratigraphic map to be a calibrated stratigraphic map;
• and
• a wellbore planning system, configured to plan a planned wellbore trajectory based, at least in part, on the calibrated stratigraphic map.