Forming a model of a subsurface region

A method for forming a geologic model of a subsurface region, comprising:

• defining a template to have at least one property that is characteristic of the subsurface region, wherein the template is a quantitative and hierarchical characterization of at least one template region for a specific geologic setting and the template region is a volumetric region within the geologic model, bounded by explicit interfaces and having a geologic character represented by the template;
• storing the template in a library, the library having a plurality of templates stored therein;
• organizing the templates according to at least one of depositional setting, geologic formation, diagenetic setting, time of deposition, geographic location, paleoclimate, water depth, structural setting, porosity, and burial depth;
• obtaining data related to the subsurface region;
• constructing a framework to represent the subsurface region, the framework being constructed using at least one explicit interface, wherein the at least one explicit interface has at least one interface property associated therewith;
• inserting well data into the framework, the well data being positioned to correspond to a position in the subsurface region where the well data was obtained;
• corresponding a location of the well data with the at least one explicit interface;
• defining a template region within the framework;
• inserting, into the template region, a template selected from one of the plurality of templates;
• selecting a template hierarchical level for the selected template;
• creating at least one conceptual interface within the template region based upon the selected hierarchical level and geologic characteristics associated with the template, wherein the at least one conceptual interface has at least one interface property associated therewith;
• defining at least one texture region within the template region using at least one of the at least one explicit interface and the at least one conceptual interface;
• modeling at least one texture property within the at least one texture region to form the geologic model;
• and
• outputting the geologic model.

A method of extracting a hydrocarbon from a subsurface region comprising:

• obtaining data related to the subsurface region;
• constructing a framework to represent the subsurface region;
• selecting a template from a plurality of templates, wherein the selected template provides at least one property that is characteristic of the subsurface region, wherein the selected template is a quantitative and hierarchical characterization of at least one template region for a specific geologic setting and the template region is a volumetric region within a geologic model, bounded by explicit interfaces and having a geologic character represented by the selected template;
• inserting the selected template into the framework;
• selecting a template hierarchical level for the selected template;
• creating at least one conceptual interface within the template region based upon the selected hierarchical level and geologic characteristics associated with the template, wherein the at least one conceptual interface has at least one interface property associated therewith;
• defining at least one texture region within the template region using at least one of the explicit interfaces and the at least one conceptual interface;
• modeling at least one texture property within the at least one texture region to form the geologic model;
• outputting the geologic model;
• and
• extracting the hydrocarbon from the subsurface region using the outputted geologic model.