Patent Application
20150348309
Exploration and production (E&P) of hydrocarbons in a field, such as an oil field, may be analyzed and modeled based on data volumes that include information describing properties of a subterranean region in the field. For example, a data volume may be used in interpretation applications to make decisions to locate oil and gas. Information included in the data volume may he viewed on a two-dimensional (2D) canvas within a three-dimensional (3D) space (referred to as a 3D data volume) corresponding to the subterranean region. The 2D canvas includes multiple vertical facets in an area of interest, and is referred to as a cross section of the 3D data volume. On this 2D canvas, i.e., cross section, an analyst user can display a variety of subjects, including borehole paths, well logs, seismic cubes, as yell as simulation results. Simultaneous visualization of data from multiple domains on a common cross section allows the analyst user to understand correlations among data from these domains.
In the top view (also referred to as the map view) of the 3D data volume, a cross section may be represented by a zigzag path defined by a series of geographical locations referred to as hinges of the cross section. Traditionally, the cross section is constructed in the map view or top view of the area of interest by an individual manually selecting a sequence of well heads.
In general, in one aspect, embodiments relate to a method for analyzing a three-dimensional (3D) data volume. The method includes receiving, from an analyst user, a selected position within the 3D data volume, wherein the 3D data volume comprises field data, detecting, by a processor of a computer system, a pre-determined natural feature of the field data to be within a pre-determined range of the selected position, generating, by the processor and in response to the detecting, a line segment within the 3D data volume based on a location of the pre-determined natural feature, and selecting a first hinge of a first hinged two-dimensional (2D) facet in a sequence of hinged 2D facets within the 3D data volume. The sequence of hinged 2D facets corresponds to a portion of the field data that is displayed on the sequence of hinged 2D facets. The method further includes generating, by the processor and based at least on the line segment and the first hinge, a first new 2D facet within the 3D data volume, and displaying, to the analyst user, an additional portion of the field data corresponding to the first new 2D facet. The additional portion of the field data is displayed on the first new 2D facet.
Other aspects will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.
The appended drawings illustrate several embodiments of cross section creation and modification and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, for cross section creation and modification may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
Specific embodiments will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Like elements in the various figures are denoted by like reference numerals for consistency.
In the following detailed description of embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.
A three-dimensional (3D) data volume is a computer modeled 3D space corresponding to a subterranean region. In particular, information describing properties of the subterranean region is stored at multiple grid points in the computer modeled 3D space. Each grid point represents a particular location in the subterranean region. Grid points are next to each other when the grid point's corresponding locations are next to each other. A facet is a polygon surface (i.e., two-dimensional (2D) on a 3D geometric shape. In other words, a facet is a polygon surface on or within the 3D data volume. A cross section is a connected sequence of facets internal to the 3D data volume. Adjacent facets in the sequence are connected along a common edge of the adjacent facets. The common edge is referred to as a hinge. Accordingly, the facets of a cross section are also referred to as hinged facets.
Examples of subterranean information stored in the 3D data volume may include physical and chemical properties of the geological formation in the subterranean region. Further, the subterranean information may include different types (referred to as domains) of information, such as geological model, petroleum data, well trajectories, etc. For example, well logs sampled along the well trajectories provide relatively precise and direct information of physical and chemical properties. A user using the 3D data volume to analyze the properties of the subterranean region is referred to as an analyst user. For example, an analyst user may be a geoscientist, a petroleum engineer, a student, or any other individual or group of individuals that analyze the properties of the subterranean region. In defining a cross section of the 3D, data volume, the analyst user may examine the areas between adjacent wells to determine whether a specific well or a portion thereof should be selected as a hinge of the cross section.
In general, embodiments provide a method and system for interactive modification or creation of the cross section. One or more embodiments facilitate an analyst user to modify the cross section by moving a point on the cross section to a selected position. For example, the selected position may be adjacent to a feature of the 3D data volume. A new hinge is created at the location of the feature. For example, the point on the cross section that is moved may be a hinge of the original cross section. By moving the point to the selected position, two facets of the original cross section connecting to the hinge are replaced by two new facets connecting to the new hinge to create a new cross section. In another example, the point on the original cross section may he between two hinges of the original cross section. By moving the point to the selected position, the facet of the original cross section between the two hinges is replaced by two new facets connecting the new hinge and the two hinges to create a new cross section. One or more embodiments facilitate the analyst user to create the cross section by creating a new hinge at individual selected positions adjacent to individual features of the 3D data volume.
In one or more embodiments, the moving action is performed by dragging and dropping on a graphical user interface displaying at least a portion of the 3D data volume. During the dragging and dropping action, data in the 3D data volume at the location of the cross section is dynamically displayed on the cross section. As the modified portion or newly created portion of the cross section moves across the 3D data volume in a sweeping motion, the dynamic display of data forms an animation sequence of data on the cross section during the dragging and dropping action. In other words, during the dragging portion of the dragging and dropping action, the graphical user interface is dynamically and regularly updated to display resulting cross sections by a new hinge at each location of the dragging action. By viewing the animation sequence as the point on the cross section is being dragged, the analyst user may determine a proper position of the new hinge as being when the displayed data on the cross section is considered acceptable by the analyst user in other words, the animation sequence of data on the cross section allows immediate feedback to the analyst user in selecting the new hinge.
Further, simultaneous visualization of data from multiple domains on a common cross section allows the analyst user to understand correlations among data form these domains. Accordingly, a state-of-art geological earth model may be constructed for geological and geophysical interpretations, petroleum and reservoir simulations, production predictions, as well as drilling and pipeline planning, etc
As shown in
In one or more embodiments, data acquisition tools (102-1), (102-2), (102-3), and (102-4) are positioned at various locations along the field (100) for collecting data of the subterranean formation (104), referred to as survey operations. In particular, these data acquisition tools are adapted to measure the subterranean formation (104) and detect the characteristics of the geological structures of the subterranean formation (104). For example, data plots (108-1), (108-2), (108-3), and (108-4) are depicted along the field (100) to demonstrate the data generated by these data acquisition tools. Specifically, the static data plot (108-1) is a seismic two-way response time. Static plot (108-2) is core sample data measured from a core sample of the formation (104). Static data plot (108-3) is a logging trace, referred to as a well log. Production decline curve or graph (108-4) is a dynamic data plot of the fluid flow rate over time. Other data may also be collected, such as historical data, analyst user inputs, economic information, and/or other measurement data and other parameters of interest.
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In one or more embodiments, the surface unit (112) is operatively coupled to the data acquisition tools (102-1), (102-2), (102-3), (102-4), and/or the wellsite systems. 1.n particular, the surface unit (112) is configured to send commands to the data acquisition tools (102-1), (102-2), (102-3), (102-4), and/or the wellsite systems and to receive data therefrom. In one or more embodiments, surface unit. (112) may be located at the wellsite system A (114-1), wellsite system B (114-2), wellsite system C (114-3), and/or remote locations. The surface unit (112) may be provided with computer facilities e.g. an E&P computer system (118)) for receiving, storing, processing, and/or analyzing data from the data acquisition tools (102-1), (102-2), (102-3), (102-4), the wellsite system A (114-1), wellsite system B (114-2), wellsite system C (114-3), and/or other part of the field (104). The surface unit (112) may also be provided with or functionally for actuating mechanisms at the field (100). The surface unit (112) may then send command signals to the field (100) in response to data received, stored, processed, and/or analyzed, for example to control and/or optimize various field operations described above.
In one or more embodiments, the surface unit (112) is communicatively coupled to the E&P computer system (118). In one or more embodiments, the data received by the surface unit (112) may be sent to the E&P computer system (118) for further analysis. Generally, the E&P computer system (118) is configured to analyze, model, control, optimize, or perform management tasks of the aforementioned field operations based on the data provided from the surface unit (112). In one or more embodiments, the E&P computer system (118) is provided with functionality for manipulating and analyzing the data, such as performing seismic interpretation or borehole resistivity image log interpretation to identify geological surfaces in the subterranean formation (104) or performing simulation, planning, and optimization of production operations of the wellsite system A (114-1), wellsite system B (114-2), and/or wellsite system C (114-3). In one or more embodiments, the result generated by the E&P computer system (118) may be displayed for analyst user viewing using a two dimensional (2D) display, three dimensional (3D) display, or other suitable displays. Although the surface unit (1 I 2) is shown as separate from the E&P computer system (118) in
Although
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In one or more embodiments, the data generated by data acquisition tools depicted in
In one or more embodiments, the 3D data volume (227) may be displayed to an analyst user performing analysis of data included in the 3D data volume (227). In other words, the analyst user may use the 3D data volume (227) to analyze the field data of the field (100). In one or more embodiments, the top of the displayed 3D data (221) volume corresponds to the earth surface the field (100) depicted in
In one or more embodiments, the field data analysis tool (230) is configured to facilitate the analyst user to interactively modify or create a cross section (229) within the 3D data volume (227). The cross section (229) includes multiple facets (e.g., facets (229a)) connected to each other via hinges (e.g., hinges (229b)). In particular, a facet is a portion of a 21) plane bounded by a polygon within the 3D data volume (227) and a hinge is a line segment (i.e., an edge of the polygon) along which two facets join. In one or more embodiments, the hinges (229a) are parallel to each other along a pre-determined direction, such as the vertical direction in the 3D data volume or in a subterranean region represented by the 3D data volume in other embodiments, the hinges may not be parallel to each other. An example of the 3D data volume (227) and the cross section (229) is shown in
As shown in
In one or more embodiments, the field data analysis tool (230) further includes a field data rendering module (225) that is configured to dynamically generate (i.e., render) a display image representing a selected portion of the 3D data volume (227) and the cross section (229) based on the detected pre-determined feature (e.g., one or more of the field data features (228)) of the field data. In one or more embodiments, the image is displayed to the analyst user to facilitate the modification and/or creation of the cross section (229). In particular, the portion of the field data corresponding to the location of the cross section (229) is selected for display on the cross section (229). For example, the portion may he highlighted so that the portion is more visible to the analyst user than the remainder of the field data away from the cross section (229). In other words, the portion of the field data may be rendered in the image using color and/or pattern that is more contrasting, bright, or otherwise more accentuated than the color and/or pattern of the remainder of the field data. In another example, the remainder of the field data away from the cross section (229) may not displayed or may he displayed so as to appear transparent. In one or more embodiments. The field data rendering module (225) uses the method described in reference to
In one or more embodiments, in response to the analyst user viewing the portion of the field data displayed on the cross section (229), the field data analyzer (222) is further configured to receive an input from the analyst user, and generate an analysis result of the field data based at least on the input. For example, the input may include a command to a simulation/interpretation application (not shown), which may be used by the field data analyzer (222) to generate the analysis result. The simulation/interpretation application may be one or more of a geological, petrophysical, petrochemical simulator/interpreter, or any other simulator and/or interpreter. In one or more embodiments, the simulation/interpretation application is part of the field data analysis tool 0) and may be included in or separate from the field data analyzer 222).
In one or more embodiments, E&P computer system (208) includes the field task engine (231) that is configured to generate a field operation control signal based at least on the analyst user viewing data displayed on the cross section (229). As noted above, the field operation equipment depicted in
The E&P computer system (208) may include one or more system computers, such as shown in
While specific components are depicted and/or described for use in the units and/or modules of the E&P computer system (208) and the field data analysis tool (230), a variety of components with various functions may be used to provide the formatting, processing, utility and coordination functions for the E&P computer system (208) and the field data analysis tool (230). The components may have combined functionalities and may be implemented as software, hardware, firmware, or combinations thereof.
In Block 201, a selected position within a 3D data volume is received from an analyst user. In one or more embodiments, the 3D data volume includes field data, which may include measured data and/or simulation data of a subterranean formation. For example, the measured data and/or simulation data may describe geological, petrophysical, and/or petrochemical properties of the subterranean formation. In one or more embodiments, the all data volume is displayed to the analyst user for selecting a position. In particular, the selected position may be selected by the analyst user via an analyst user interface element of the display such as a cursor or other types of pointer. In one or more embodiments, the selected position is selected during a drag-and-drop operation within the 3D data volume. For example, the selected position may be the destination of the drag-and-drop operation where a dragged object is dropped onto. In one or more embodiments, the selected position is selected during a point selection operation within the 3D data volume. For example, the selected position may be the point within the 3D data volume that is clicked by the analyst user using the cursor.
In Block 202, a pre-determined feature of the field data is detected to be within a pre-determined range of the selected position. For example, the pre-determined range may be 1 mm, 1.5 mm, or certain number of increments in the coordinates defining the 3D data volume. In other words, the selected position is found to be near the pre-determined feature within a pre-determined physical distance (e.g., 1 mm, 1.5 mm, etc.) or certain number of coordinate increments in the 3D data volume. For the pre-determined feature that spans more than a single position, the pre-determined range is defined based on a particular position of the feature, such as the head, tail, mid-point, or geometrical centroid of the pre-determined feature. If multiple pre-determined features are in proximity to the selected position, one or more criteria may be used to select a pre-determined feature. For example, the criterion may be the smallest distance, greatest amount of prior selection(s) of the feature or type of feature by the analyst user and/or other users, most related to the type of analysis being performed, and/or other criterion.
In Block 203, in response to detecting the pre-determined feature in proximity to the selected position, a line segment is generated within the 3D data volume based on a location of the pre-determined feature. For example, the line segment may start from or end at a particular position of the pre-determined feature. In another example, the mid-point of the line segment may fall onto a particular position of the pre-determined feature. In one of more embodiments, the line segment is generated upon the analyst user selecting the selected position and concurrently snapped onto the pre-determined feature upon detecting the aforementioned proximity. In one or more embodiments, the line segment is used as a new hinge to modify the cross section.
In one or more embodiments, the line segment has a pre-determined slope in the 3D data volume. For example, if the existing line segments are vertical, then the new line segment may also be vertical. By way of another example, if the existing line segments are angled or horizontal, then the new line segment is at the same angle or horizontal in accordance with one or more embodiments. In other embodiments, the line segment may be in a different direction than one or more other line segments of the cross section. For example, the line segment may be along a length of the pre-determined feature. By way of another example, two points and/or pre-determined features may be selected and used as the line segment.
As noted above, and depicted in an example described in reference to
If the analysis user selects the selected position by moving a previously existing hinge on the cross section to the selected position, then the selected hinge may be an adjacent hinge to the previously existing hinge. In other words, previously existing hinge bounded two facets, where each facet is also bounded by an adjacent hinge. One of the adjacent hinges is selected as the selected hinge in Block 204. Block 204 and 20 may be repeated for the other adjacent hinge.
If the analysis user selects the selected position by moving a point on a previously existing facet on the cross section to the selected position, then the selected hinge may be one of the hinges that bound the previously existing facets. In other words, the previously existing facet is bounded by at least two hinges. One of the binding hinges is selected as the selected hinge in Block 204 Block 204 and 205 may be repeated for the other binding hinge.
If the analysis user selects a new position that is not going of an existing, position on the cross section, then the line segment may be deemed as an end hinge for the cross section. In such a scenario, the selected hinge may he the prior closest end hinge of the cross section that is referred to as the initial end hinge for this discussion. In other words, the initial end hinge is no longer at the end of the cross section and the new hinge becomes the new end hinge. In one or more embodiments, the initial end hinge is dragged-and-dropped near the pre-determined feature of the field data where the new hinge is automatically generated and snapped onto the pre-determined feature. In such embodiments, the new 2D facet of Block 205 is bounded on two sides by this initial end hinge and a new hinge defined by the line segment of Block 203. Accordingly, the new 2D facet is appended to the initial end hinge to expand the cross section from the initial end hinge to the new hinge.
In Block 205, a new 20 facet is generated within the 30 data volume based at least on the line segment and the selected hinge. In other words, grid points of the 3D data volume that are directly in between the line segment and the selected hinge are identified. The properties of the 3D data volume to display are identified. For example, the properties may he identified based on being previously displayed, being selected by the analysis user, or corresponding to the type of analysis being performed. A graphical representation of the values of the properties of the identified grid points are displayed at the identified grid points.
In one or more embodiments, the selected position of Block 201 is received from the analyst user based on a user instruction to move the selected hinge of Block 204 to the selected position. In particular, the selected hinge is on one side of a hinged. 20 facet of the cross section where the other hinge of this hinged 2D facet is referred to as a second hinge for this discussion. For example, the user instruction may be in the form of a drag-and-drop operation where the selected hinge is dragged to and dropped at the selection position while the second hinge stays in place. As described above, a line segment is generated at the selected position and automatically snapped onto a near-by pre-determined feature of the field data to become a new hinge. In such embodiments, the new hinge replaces the selected hinge in the cross section. Accordingly, the new 2D facet of Block 205 is bounded on two sides by the new hinge line segment of Block 203) and the aforementioned second hinge. In other words, the aforementioned hinged 2D facet attached to the selected hinge is replaced by this new 20 facet.
Returning to the discussion of
In Block 207, in response to the analyst user viewing the additional portion of the field data displayed on the new 2D facet, an input is received from the analyst user. For example, the input may be used by a simulator or interpretation application to generate an analysis result of the field data set (Block 208).
FIG. 3,1 shows a screenshot (130) of a 3D data volume (140), which is an example of the 3D data volume (227) shown in
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Embodiments may be implemented on virtually any type of computing system regardless of the platform being used. For example, the computing system may he one or more mobile devices (e.g., laptop computer, smart phone, personal digital assistant, tablet computer, or other mobile device), desktop computers, servers, blades in a server chassis, or any other type of computing device or devices that includes at least the minimum processing power, memory, and input and output device(s) to perform one or more embodiments. For example, as shown in
Software instructions in the form of computer readable program code to perform embodiments may be stored, in whole or in part, temporarily or permanently, on a non-transitory computer readable medium such as a CD. DVD, storage device, a diskette, a tape, flash memory, physical memory, or any other computer readable storage medium. Specifically, the software instructions may correspond to computer readable program code that when executed by a processor(s), is configured to perform embodiments.
Further, one or more elements of the aforementioned computing system (1000) may be located at a remote location awl connected to the other elements over a network (1012). Further, embodiments may be implemented on a distributed system having a plurality of nodes, where each portion may be located on a different node within the distributed system. In one embodiment, the node corresponds to a distinct computing device. The node may correspond to a computer processor with associated physical memory. The node may correspond to a computer processor or micro-core of a computer processor with shared memory and/or resources.
While one or more embodiments have been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope should be limited only by the attached claims.
