Distribution of properties in a 3D volumetric model using a maximum continuity field

A method for modeling the geological properties in a volume of the earth using a computer, the method comprising:

• distributing points in the volume in the absence of a grid, each point having a location;
• the computer assigning vectors to the points, each vector having a length, a magnitude, and a direction derived from a geological property at the location of the point to which it is assigned;
• the magnitude of each vector representing the value of the geological property at the location of the point to which the vector is assigned
• the direction of the vector representing the direction of maximum continuity, the direction of maximum continuity being the direction in the volume along which the magnitude of the geological property stays substantially the same for the greatest distance when moving away from the location of the point to which the vector is assigned;
• the length of the vector representing the distance through the volume from the location of the point to which the vector is assigned in the direction of the vector that the magnitude and direction of maximum continuity of the geological property stay substantially the same;
• and
• constructing a first grid of cells, each cell covering a portion of the volume, each cell having associated with it a value that is derived from the vectors assigned to the points within the portion of the volume covered by the cell.

A method for modeling the geological properties in a volume of the earth using a computer, the volume including a fault, the method comprising:

• the computer defining a fault vector in the volume at a fault point adjacent to a location of the fault, the fault vector having a length, a direction and a magnitude representing the displacement of the volume at the fault point caused by the fault;
• the magnitude of the fault vector representing the amount of displacement of the volume at the fault point;
• the direction of the fault vector representing the direction of displacement of the volume at the fault point;
• the length of the fault vector representing the distance in the direction of the fault vector that the direction and magnitude of displacement is substantially the same;
• and
• constructing a neighborhood region across the fault, the neighborhood region having two parts bounded by the fault, the first part being displaced from the second part in the direction of and by the magnitude of the fault vector.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium on which is recorded a computer program for creating a model of the geological properties in a volume of the earth, the program comprising executable instructions, that, when executed, perform a method comprising:

• distributing a plurality of points in the volume in the absence of a grid, each point having a location;
• assigning a first vector to a first point of the plurality of points, the first vector having a length, a magnitude, and a direction derived from a geological property in the neighborhood of the location of the first point;
• the magnitude of the first vector representing the value of the geological property in the neighborhood of the first point;
• the direction of the first vector representing the direction of maximum continuity, the direction of maximum continuity being the direction in the volume along which the magnitude of the geological property stays substantially the same for the greatest distance when moving away from the first point;
• and
• the length of the first vector representing the distance through the volume from the first point in the direction of the first vector that the magnitude and direction of maximum continuity of the geological property stay substantially the same.