US 8,798,974 B1Granted

Method and system for interactive geological interpretation, modeling and restoration

OwnerAlan Gordon Nunnsinventor

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Abstract

The present invention comprises a computer-implemented method for interactive geological interpretation, structural modeling and structural restoration, in which instantaneous feedback is provided to an interpreter. A software module is loaded into and executed by the computer system to implement the method of the invention. The method and system are employed by a technician or scientist, such as an earth scientist, geologist or geophysicist, hereinafter called an “interpreter”. Using the method and system, the interpreter can make skilled qualitative and quantitative appraisals of geologic structures that occur within the upper parts of the earth's crust, including both the current state of such structures and their kinematic development through time. One use of such appraisals is to evaluate resources found in structures within sedimentary basins, including but not limited to oil and gas resources. The method and system can be used to train novice and advanced interpreters to improve their understanding.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A computer-implemented method for an interactive analysis of geological structures by an interpreter using a computer system and a software module, the method comprising:

(a) importing an earth profile comprising a digital image of one or more geologic structures;
(b) displaying said earth profile;
(c) interpreting and modeling said one or more geologic structures by operations comprising:
creating and modifying an interpretation, said interpretation comprising faults and horizons observed and inferred in said earth profile;
creating and modifying one or more structural models, said one or more structural models embodying principles of syndepositional fault-related folding, said operation of creating and modifying one or more structural models further comprising:
specifying one or more faults selected for modeling from said interpretation;
associating one of said one or more structural models with each of said one or more faults selected for modeling;
controlling deformation mechanisms applying within each of said one or more structural models;
specifying controls for one or more structural surfaces within each of said one or more structural models;
computing configurations instantaneously of said one or more structural models by computations incorporating said principles and further depending on:
configurations of said one or more faults selected for modeling;
said deformation mechanisms;
and said controls for one or more structural surfaces;
and
computing instantaneously errors and warnings related to said one or more structural models;
(d) encapsulating digitally a state of analysis as a solution comprising contents:
said earth profile;
ancillary data related to calibration and display of said earth profile;
said interpretation;
said one or more structural models;
and
additional notes and descriptions;
(e) updating said solution after each operation that changes said contents;
(f) updating instantaneously a graphical display by overlaying said interpretation and said one or more structural models over said earth profile together with a display of said errors and warnings, wherein said graphical display varies in response to said operations of:
creating and modifying said interpretation;
and
creating and modifying said one or more structural models;
and
(g) repeating any or all of said operations of interpreting and modeling said one or more geologic structures until there exists a match between said interpretation and said one or more structural models and said earth profile.

26 more elements

A computer system for interactive analysis of geological structures adapted for storing and executing a software module and further adapted for continuous interactive control of said software module, and continuous graphical display of results, said computer system comprising:

(a) storage for storing:
system software;
an earth profile;
a solution file;
and said software module configured to perform operations comprising:
importing an earth profile comprising a digital image of one or more geologic structures;
displaying said earth profile;
interpreting and modeling said one or more geologic structures by operations comprising:
creating and modifying an interpretation, said interpretation comprising faults and horizons observed and inferred in said earth profile;
creating and modifying one or more structural models, said one or more structural models embodying principles of syndepositional fault-related folding, said operation of creating and modifying one or more structural models further comprising:
specifying one or more faults selected for modeling from said interpretation;
associating one of said one or more structural models with each of said one or more faults selected for modeling;
controlling deformation mechanisms applying within each of said one or more structural models;
specifying controls for one or more structural surfaces within each of said one or more structural models;
computing configurations instantaneously of said one or more structural models by computations incorporating said principles and further depending on:
configurations of said one or more faults selected for modeling;
said deformation mechanisms;
and said controls for one or more structural surfaces;
and
computing instantaneously errors and warnings related to said one or more structural models;
updating instantaneously a graphical display by overlaying said interpretation and said one or more structural models over said earth profile together with a display of said errors and warnings, wherein said graphical display varies in response to said operations of:
creating and modifying said interpretation;
and creating and modifying said one or more structural models;
and
repeating any or all of said operations of interpreting and modeling said one or more geologic structures until there exists a match between said interpretation and said one or more structural models and said earth profile;
(b) processors configured to execute said system software and said software module;
(c) a set of peripheral devices and network connections configured for:
providing input to said storage;
providing output from said storage;
providing interactive control of operations of said computer system and said software module by continuously detecting events comprising cursor movements, button clicks and text inputs;
and
displaying results of operations performed in said software module;
and
(d) a system interconnect and interface between said storage, said processors and said set of peripheral devices and network connections.

31 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.