Patent Application
20240053501
Rock layers, rock types and rock ages are studied in different locations to understand the geology of the location. This branch of geology is referred to a stratigraphic characterization, as it seeks to determine attributes of the different layers or “strata” of the subsurface domain. The strata of different locations may undergo different processes, events, etc., and thus may be unique in some aspects between different regions; further, the strata of specific regions may be given region-specific names. Thus, depth-dependent data for the strata from one region may not carry over to similar depths or strata in other regions. As a result, it may be difficult to compare similar depths in different regions based on the local stratigraphic data.
Subdisciplines of stratigraphy include lithostratigraphy, which is based on local rock/formation names. Biostratigraphy is another subdiscipline and is based on fossil assemblage within the rocks for spatial and time positioning. Further, chronostratigraphy permits the correlation of strata in different regions based on a time standard. For example, the strata of different locations, which may be located at different depth intervals, have different names, etc., may thus be positioned on a chronostratigraphic timeline, which may permit comparisons of generally contemporaneously formed strata and inferences based on data from different locations.
The International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) maintains the International Chronostratigraphic Chart, which provides a reference timeline of the different chronostratigraphic ages of rocks. The ICS thus establishes a multidisciplinary standard and global geologic time scale that facilitates paleontological and geobiological comparisons region to region by benchmarks with stringent and rigorous strata criteria called Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Points (GSSPs) within the fossil record. The International Chronostratigraphic chart permits the geoscience community to use a globally agreed upon and recognized reference, describing the age and meta-type of stratigraphic layers, regardless of their presence in a specific region.
Embodiments of the disclosure include a method for navigating a geologic environment. The method includes obtaining first geological data representing a first location, correlating the first geological data with a chronostratigraphic timeline, receiving a selection of a second location, correlating second geological data representing the second location with the chronostratigraphic timeline, determining one or more characteristics of a geology of the second location based at least in part on the first geological data from the first location using the chronostratigraphic timeline, and visualizing a stratigraphic navigator representing the chronostratigraphic timeline and at least some of the second geological data for the second location.
In an embodiment, the method includes receiving an input from a user via interaction with the stratigraphic navigator, and adjusting a display of the stratigraphic navigator based on the input from the user. Adjusting the display includes adjusting a granularity of the second geological data, the chronostratigraphic timeline, or both, or adjusting a portion of the second geological data that is visible by adjusting a selection of a portion of the chronostratigraphic timeline, or both.
In an embodiment, visualizing the stratigraphic navigator includes displaying the stratigraphic navigator in context with a graphical geoscience interface that displays geological data representing one or more wells.
In an embodiment, the method includes receiving a selection of one or more of the one or more wells in the graphical geoscience interface, and highlighting one or more portions of the second geological data in the stratigraphical navigator based on the selection.
In an embodiment, visualizing the stratigraphic navigator includes displaying the chronostratigraphic timeline as a chronostratigraphic column in the stratigraphic navigator. Elements of the chronostratigraphic column represent geological time intervals. In an embodiment, visualizing also includes displaying a stratigraphic column in the stratigraphic navigator based on the second geological data. The second geological data includes stratigraphic data, and the stratigraphic column includes elements representing one or more strata that are local to the second location. Visualizing may also include displaying a relationship between the elements of the stratigraphic column and the elements of the chronostratigraphic column.
In an embodiment, the method includes receiving a command to change a granularity of the stratigraphic column, and adjusting the granularity of the stratigraphic data such that more or fewer elements of the stratigraphic column are visible.
In an embodiment, the method includes receiving a command to change an age interval of the stratigraphic data that is being displayed in the stratigraphic column, and adjusting the age interval of the stratigraphic data that is being displayed.
In an embodiment, receiving a selection of one or more of the elements of the stratigraphic column, and highlighting one or more wells, one or more zones, one or more depth intervals of one or more wells, or both in a graphical geoscience interface based on the selection of the one or more elements. The one or more wells, one or more zones, or one or more depth intervals, or combination thereof extend through one or more strata represented by the selected one or more of the elements.
In an embodiment, the method includes receiving a selection of one or more wells, one or more zones, or one or more depth intervals of one or more wells in a graphical geological interval, and highlighting one or more strata of the stratigraphic data in the stratigraphic navigator based on the selection.
In an embodiment, the method includes receiving a selection of a well, and adjusting a height of at least some elements of the stratigraphic column such that a height of at least some of the elements represents a depth interval of the elements in a subterranean domain proximal to the well.
Embodiments of the disclosure also include a computing system including one or more processors, and a memory system including one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the computing system to perform operations. The operations include obtaining first geological data representing a first location, correlating the first geological data with a chronostratigraphic timeline, receiving a selection of a second location, correlating second geological data representing the second location with the chronostratigraphic timeline, determining one or more characteristics of a geology of the second location based at least in part on the first geological data from the first location using the chronostratigraphic timeline, and visualizing a stratigraphic navigator representing the chronostratigraphic timeline and at least some of the second geological data for the second location.
Embodiments of the disclosure also include a non-transitory, computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by at least one processor of a computing system, cause the computing system to perform operations. The operations include obtaining first geological data representing a first location, correlating the first geological data with a chronostratigraphic timeline, receiving a selection of a second location, correlating second geological data representing the second location with the chronostratigraphic timeline, determining one or more characteristics of a geology of the second location based at least in part on the first geological data from the first location using the chronostratigraphic timeline, and visualizing a stratigraphic navigator representing the chronostratigraphic timeline and at least some of the second geological data for the second location.
Embodiments of the disclosure also include a computing system including means for obtaining first geological data representing a first location, means for correlating the first geological data with a chronostratigraphic timeline, means for receiving a selection of a second location, means for correlating second geological data representing the second location with the chronostratigraphic timeline, means for determining one or more characteristics of a geology of the second location based at least in part on the first geological data from the first location using the chronostratigraphic timeline, and means for visualizing a stratigraphic navigator representing the chronostratigraphic timeline and at least some of the second geological data for the second location.
Embodiments of the disclosure also include a computing system configured to obtain first geological data representing a first location, correlate the first geological data with a chronostratigraphic timeline, receive a selection of a second location, correlate second geological data representing the second location with the chronostratigraphic timeline, determine one or more characteristics of a geology of the second location based at least in part on the first geological data from the first location using the chronostratigraphic timeline, and visualize a stratigraphic navigator representing the chronostratigraphic timeline and at least some of the second geological data for the second location.
It will be appreciated that this summary is intended merely to introduce some aspects of the present methods, systems, and media, which are more fully described and/or claimed below. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be limiting.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present teachings and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present teachings. In the figures:
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and figures. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.
It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first object or step could be termed a second object or step, and, similarly, a second object or step could be termed a first object or step, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The first object or step, and the second object or step, are both, objects or steps, respectively, but they are not to be considered the same object or step.
The terminology used in the description herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used in this description and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Further, as used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context.
Attention is now directed to processing procedures, methods, techniques, and workflows that are in accordance with some embodiments. Some operations in the processing procedures, methods, techniques, and workflows disclosed herein may be combined and/or the order of some operations may be changed.
In the example of
In an example embodiment, the simulation component 120 may rely on entities 122. Entities 122 may include earth entities or geological objects such as wells, surfaces, bodies, reservoirs, etc. In the system 100, the entities 122 can include virtual representations of actual physical entities that are reconstructed for purposes of simulation. The entities 122 may include entities based on data acquired via sensing, observation, etc. (e.g., the seismic data 112 and other information 114). An entity may be characterized by one or more properties (e.g., a geometrical pillar grid entity of an earth model may be characterized by a porosity property). Such properties may represent one or more measurements (e.g., acquired data), calculations, etc.
In an example embodiment, the simulation component 120 may operate in conjunction with a software framework such as an object-based framework. In such a framework, entities may include entities based on pre-defined classes to facilitate modeling and simulation. A commercially available example of an object-based framework is the MICROSOFT® .NET® framework (Redmond, Washington), which provides a set of extensible object classes. In the .NETS® framework, an object class encapsulates a module of reusable code and associated data structures. Object classes can be used to instantiate object instances for use in by a program, script, etc. For example, borehole classes may define objects for representing boreholes based on well data.
In the example of
As an example, the simulation component 120 may include one or more features of a simulator such as the ECLIPSE™ reservoir simulator (Schlumberger Limited, Houston Texas), the INTERSECT™ reservoir simulator (Schlumberger Limited, Houston Texas), etc. As an example, a simulation component, a simulator, etc. may include features to implement one or more meshless techniques (e.g., to solve one or more equations, etc.). As an example, a reservoir or reservoirs may be simulated with respect to one or more enhanced recovery techniques (e.g., consider a thermal process such as SAGD, etc.).
In an example embodiment, the management components 110 may include features of a commercially available framework such as the PETREL® seismic to simulation software framework (Schlumberger Limited, Houston, Texas). The PETREL® framework provides components that allow for optimization of exploration and development operations. The PETREL® framework includes seismic to simulation software components that can output information for use in increasing reservoir performance, for example, by improving asset team productivity. Through use of such a framework, various professionals (e.g., geophysicists, geologists, and reservoir engineers) can develop collaborative workflows and integrate operations to streamline processes. Such a framework may be considered an application and may be considered a data-driven application (e.g., where data is input for purposes of modeling, simulating, etc.).
In an example embodiment, various aspects of the management components 110 may include add-ons or plug-ins that operate according to specifications of a framework environment. For example, a commercially available framework environment marketed as the OCEAN® framework environment (Schlumberger Limited, Houston, Texas) allows for integration of add-ons (or plug-ins) into a PETREL® framework workflow. The OCEAN® framework environment leverages .NET® tools (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington) and offers stable, user-friendly interfaces for efficient development. In an example embodiment, various components may be implemented as add-ons (or plug-ins) that conform to and operate according to specifications of a framework environment (e.g., according to application programming interface (API) specifications, etc.).
As an example, a framework may include features for implementing one or more mesh generation techniques. For example, a framework may include an input component for receipt of information from interpretation of seismic data, one or more attributes based at least in part on seismic data, log data, image data, etc. Such a framework may include a mesh generation component that processes input information, optionally in conjunction with other information, to generate a mesh.
In the example of
As an example, the domain objects 182 can include entity objects, property objects and optionally other objects. Entity objects may be used to geometrically represent wells, surfaces, bodies, reservoirs, etc., while property objects may be used to provide property values as well as data versions and display parameters. For example, an entity object may represent a well where a property object provides log information as well as version information and display information (e.g., to display the well as part of a model).
In the example of
In the example of
As mentioned, the system 100 may be used to perform one or more workflows. A workflow may be a process that includes a number of worksteps. A workstep may operate on data, for example, to create new data, to update existing data, etc. As an example, a may operate on one or more inputs and create one or more results, for example, based on one or more algorithms. As an example, a system may include a workflow editor for creation, editing, executing, etc. of a workflow. In such an example, the workflow editor may provide for selection of one or more pre-defined worksteps, one or more customized worksteps, etc. As an example, a workflow may be a workflow implementable in the PETREL® software, for example, that operates on seismic data, seismic attribute(s), etc. As an example, a workflow may be a process implementable in the OCEAN® framework. As an example, a workflow may include one or more worksteps that access a module such as a plug-in (e.g., external executable code, etc.).
The method 200 may include obtaining geological (e.g., stratigraphic) data representing a plurality of locations (e.g., geological and/or geographical locations) having a plurality of stratigraphies (e.g., lithostratigraphies), as at 202. Although reference is made herein to lithostratigraphic data, columns, etc., it will be appreciated that embodiments of the methods presented herein may operate using other types of stratigraphic data, consistent with the present disclosure. The stratigraphic data may be depth-dependent or at least depth-related. As discussed above, the strata at different geological locations (e.g., points or regions in different oilfields, basins, regions of the world, etc.) may differ from one another, such that, for example, the same strata may exist at different depth intervals (or not at all) in different locations, be referred to by different names, etc. Various applications may be employed to harvest this local data for storage in back-end databases, and the method 200 may make use of this data by obtaining it, e.g., from such databases at 202. In other embodiments, the method 200 may include collecting and storing the data.
In some embodiments, the method 200 may also include correlating the stratigraphic data to a chronostratigraphic reference timeline, as at 204. For example, the different strata may be categorized and labeled with appropriate chronostratigraphic labels or mnemonics based on age and thus may be arranged according to the (generally static) chronostratigraphic reference timeline. Accordingly, the relative age of the different rock layers may be stored, so as to allow comparisons of contemporaneous rock layers across different geographical locations. In some embodiments, such correlation may be done a priori, and the method 200 may access the correlated data.
The method 200 may include displaying data representing a specific (e.g., geographic or geologic) location in a graphical geoscience interface, as at 206. Using geographic locations as an example, various geological aspects of the geographic location may be displayed in the interface, for example, well logs, well tops, events, markers, etc. may be displayed. For example, a user may select a location, and, in response, the method 200 may display the data representing the specific location. The location selected may be one of the locations for which data was collected at 202. In some embodiments, a graphical geoscience application may be any application that ingests subsurface data and permits the user to visualize or manipulate the data. Such geoscience applications may also permit or otherwise facilitate processing of the data. Examples of such graphical geoscience interfaces may include mapping applications, data discovery applications, data conditioning applications, well interpretation applications, geological knowledge base applications, drilling applications, geothermal applications, or other applications that offer geoscience data visualization.
More particularly, mapping applications (e.g., PETREL®, TECHLOG®, AVOCET®, PETROMOD®, ECLIPSE®, RAPID SCREENING™, EXPLOREPLAN®, etc.) may generate a map of interest, such as a depth map, thickness map (between two layers or an addition of several layers of interest), or property map for a given stratigraphic interval (e.g., average gamma ray, water saturation, bulk density, VShale). Data discovery applications (e.g., DELFT® Gaia) may permit selection of a depth interval, which may act as a smart filter for the back-end search result and therefore for the related front-end display of the data, as will be described in greater detail below. Data conditioning applications may “clean” acquired logs (from tools), so as to remove environmental disturbances and various acquisition errors. Well interpretation applications may allow a user to access raw well logs and compute petrophysical or other sub-surface domain-oriented data. Geological knowledge base applications are those that collect geological knowledge about a given location, and provide users with a set of geological parameters (rock type, physical and chemical properties). This can include core information, for example. Drilling applications are applications that allow geoscientists or drilling engineers to view the subsurface, plan, monitor and pilot a drilling operation. Geothermal applications permit displaying subsurface data for geothermal solutions, such as drilling difficulty of litho-stratigraphies, thermal conductivity, water flow and piezometry, among others. Seismic interpretation applications are any application that permits working with seismic data.
The method 200 may also include visualizing the chronostratigraphic reference timeline and/or stratigraphic data known or identified gaps in data about the displayed location in context with the graphical geoscience interface, as at 208. This display may be provided by a “stratigraphic navigator”. In some embodiments, the chronostratigraphic reference timeline may be visually depicted as one or more columns of elements, with individual elements representing individual time intervals (e.g., eons, epochs, etc.), according to an agreed-upon convention. The stratigraphic data may likewise be displayed as one or more columns, and relationships between the stratigraphic column and the chronostratigraphic column may be depicted.
For example, based on its position in the chronostratigraphic reference timeline, the stratigraphic data from a variety of different locations may be presented in context with the representation of the displayed location. This displayed location may or may not have different depth-based characteristics than the locations from which the stratigraphic data is collected. In some cases, the displayed location and other locations may not include the same label or mnemonic, despite referring to the same record of geological timeline. In some cases, the displayed location and other locations may refer to the same (litho-)stratigraphic reference but use mnemonic of two different hierarchical (granularity) levels. However, the chronostratigraphic reference timeline applies both to the subject location and the other locations, thus permitting the stratigraphic data from various locations to be used to assist in describing the stratigraphic makeup of the displayed location. Accordingly, data about one location may be displayed at least partially along with data collected from other locations, using the chronostratigraphic reference timeline to make connections between the stratigraphies of the different locations.
Further, the visualization provided at 208 may be adjustable, e.g., in time and resolution (or “granularity”). For example, the stratigraphic navigator may provide a time selector that permits scrolling through time in the chronostratigraphic reference timeline. Based on the position of the selector, stratigraphic data corresponding to the selected portion of the chronostratigraphic reference timeline may be depicted, e.g., in the stratigraphic column, while other portions of the stratigraphic column are not visible. Further, the granularity (e.g., resolution) of either or both of the chronostratigraphic column and/or the stratigraphic column may be adjustable so as to permit viewing and/or selection of narrower or wider time or depth intervals.
The stratigraphic navigator may also interact with a graphical geoscience interface, e.g., multiple different graphical geoscience interfaces of potentially different types, as noted above. For example, the method 200 may include receiving a selection of an object in the graphical geoscience interface, as at 210. Examples of objects may include one or more wells, zones, well tops or other well markers, well logs (or portions thereof), depth intervals, strata, horizons, faults, other geological features, or any other object that may be related to a geology of a location. The stratigraphic navigator may respond by “highlighting” (referring to anything that is configured to draw a user's attention to one element or group of elements over another, e.g., using size, color, font type and/or style (including bolding, underlining, etc.), obscuring or omitting non-highlighted material, etc.) one or more elements of the chronostratigraphic reference timeline and/or one or more elements of the stratigraphic column, as at 212. For example, a user may select a specific well, and the stratigraphic navigator may respond, according to an embodiment of the method 200, by highlighting elements of the stratigraphic data representing one or more strata through which the well extends. This stratigraphic data associated with the selected strata, may thus be rapidly apparent to the user, e.g., along with its relationship to its correlated chronostratigraphic reference timeline element(s).
The method 200 may also include receiving a selection of one or more elements in the stratigraphic navigator, as at 214. For example, one or more elements of the stratigraphic column and/or one or more elements of the chronostratigraphic reference timeline may be selected. In response, as at 216, the method 200 may adjust the graphical geoscience interface to highlight one or more regions in the view provided by the graphical geoscience interface. As noted above, the same stratigraphic navigator may persist in different geological interfaces (e.g., different software applications and/or platforms) and at different locations, thereby providing quick access to different stratigraphic information, e.g., events, etc. associated with a particular strata, as correlated by use of the chronostratigraphic reference timeline.
The stratigraphic navigator 300, in this embodiment, may include a chronostratigraphic column 306, a stratigraphic column 308, and a list of wells 310. The chronostratigraphic column 306 may include elements (e.g., cells) 312 that represent the discrete time periods of the chronostratigraphic reference timeline. For example, the individual elements 312 may represent eonothems/eons, erathem/era, systems/periods, series/epochs, or stages/ages. The type of time interval represented may be adjustable by adjusting the granularity of the column 306, as will be described in greater detail below. By way of introduction, however, the granularity may be adjusted by combining or dividing the elements 312, such that one parent element 312 forms two or more child elements 312, or two or more child elements 312 are combined into one parent element 312, e.g., with the time interval of the parent element 312 encompassing the more specific time intervals of the child elements 312. In some cases, a child element 312 may have two or more parent elements, a parent may have no children, or there may be overlapping relationships between parent and children, meaning the beginning of the age of a child element 312 may be in the age interval of a parent element 312, while the end of the age of the child element 312 is in the age interval of a subsequent parent element 312, etc. Thus, the parent-child relationship may not be straightforward, but may still be represented in the navigator 300. This division or combination of elements 312 may be visualized in many different ways, e.g., by sweeping in a new column 306 populated with larger or smaller elements in a lateral direction.
Further, the chronostratigraphic column 306 may also include a time selector 314, which may be a scroll bar in some embodiments. The time selector 314 may permit a user to scroll (e.g., vertically) through time in the chronostratigraphic column 306. The chronostratigraphic column 306 may also include a menu button 311, which may be selectable to expand the chronostratigraphic column 306 (e.g., laterally) and provide additional details about each of the elements 312, such as by populating the elements 312 with the mnemonics of the time durations that they represent.
The stratigraphic column 308 may also include elements (e.g., cells) 316, which may correspond to the local stratigraphy of the displayed geographical/geological area in the interface 302. Accordingly, this column 308 may vary depending on the location displayed in the interface 302, as provided by reference to the chronostratigraphic reference timeline in the column 306. In particular, the elements 316 may be arranged to illustrate a relationship with the chronostratigraphic elements 312. For example, the elements 316 that are displayed may correspond to those within the vertical extent of the time selector 314. That is, the height and position of the time selector 314 in the chronostratigraphic column 306 may dictate which elements 316 are in view.
Further, the stratigraphic column 308 may include a granularity selector 317. The granulator selector 317 may be selectable by a user to change the interval represented by individual elements 316, e.g. by partitioning or combining elements 316 (which, again, may be visualized in various different ways). The granularity selector 317 may also be configured to change the height of the time selector 314, e.g., to reduce the time interval displayed in the stratigraphic column 308. In a simple example of changing granularity, a parent element 316 may be divided into two or more child elements 316, or a child element 316 may be combined with one or more other child elements 316 to form a parent element 316. Again, however, the relationship may not be straightforward, but may still be represented in the stratigraphic navigator 300, as described herein.
The stratigraphic column 308 may visualize lithostratigraphic information. The information structure of the lithostratigraphy may be more complex than the chronostratigraphy, as different elements 316 and different granularities may have more than one parent and/or more than one child. Some elements may overlap without a match to the various chronostratigraphic ages (in which case, the absolute age, e.g., in millions of years, may be referenced).
The labels used in a stratigraphic column 308, unlike (in some embodiments) the chronostratigraphic column 306, may vary from one basin to another, and potentially from user to user. These names may be applied based on knowledge acquired by different entities at different times and organized by different people. Indeed, the names of the lithologies may depend on the geographical/local names of the Earth. Therefore, though the stratigraphic column 308 may be closely linked to the chronostratigraphic column 306, they may include different data.
Additionally, a button 319 may be included in at least some of the elements 316 in the stratigraphic column 308. The button 319 may represent that geological data for the strata represented by the element 316 is available. The button 319 may be clicked on or hovered over to reveal the geological data associated therewith. For example, individual stratigraphic elements 316 (e.g., representing cyclostratigraphic, lithostratigraphic, biostratigraphic objects, etc.) may hold a piece of information related to the stratigraphic layer associated therewith. The data can be a number of markers, a status, or any value related to the object of the system/application using the stratigraphic navigator 300. Such data depends on the nature of the application and what is meaningful to the user, and thus the data represented by the button 319 may be dynamically determined and different depending on the type of graphical geoscience interface 302 that is actively being employed/visualized.
Further, the list of wells 310 may include a display of names, locations, or other well attributes or well properties representing the wells 304 in the display on the interface 302. Individual wells 304 may host one or more types of metadata, such as coordinates, unit systems, trajectories, or any information describing the identity of each well so that any domain expert, depending, e.g., on the focus of the application, can visualize the wells on the map. In some embodiments, the metadata may be customizable. Filters may be applied to the list 310. The list 310 may be linked and synchronized to the map, either represented on a larger area of the screen or in a smaller widget.
Further, whether a given element 418 has sub-elements (e.g., elements 424) associated therewith may be indicated by buttons 420. The buttons 420 may be responsive to user interaction, e.g., a mouse click or hover, so as to provide a quick view of the elements 424 associated therewith. It will be appreciated that the illustration of
For example, as shown in
As shown by comparison between
As shown by a comparison between
Referring again to
Going from the global (e.g., potentially large number of wells) view to the single well view may thus result in a transformation or adjustment of the height of the individual elements 316. The black circles representing the wells 304 on the map view (
As noted above with respect to
The method 700 may begin by building a database of stratigraphical data (e.g., columns or charts) collected from different geographical regions or corresponding to various sub-type of stratigraphical data. The geology of the different regions may, for example, have different lithostratigraphies, such that a direct comparison of the same depth intervals may not be appropriate. Thus, the method 700 may include correlating lithostratigraphic data collected from one or more regions to a chronostratigraphic reference (e.g., timeline, as discussed above), as at 702. This data may be stored in a persistent format for access at a later time. The chronostratigraphic reference may provide for a “translation” of the depth-based data to a time-based reference that can be carried forward to other regions for comparison and form at least a partial basis for inference of data at these other locations.
The method 700 may then proceed to displaying the data that is collected in a format that is configured to enhance the efficiency of a user's experience with a graphical geoscience interface. For example, the method 700 may include receiving, as at 704, a selection of one or more regions in such a graphical geoscience interface, e.g., one of the regions for which data was correlated at 702. The one or more regions may thus have lithostratigraphic information available in back-end storage, e.g., in the database discussed above. The method 700 may thus include determining (e.g., by reference to the database) such lithostratigraphic data using the data that was previously correlated, as at 706.
The method 700 may then include displaying a stratigraphic navigator, as at 708, such as the stratigraphic navigator 300 of
The method 700 may then proceed to interacting with the user and the graphical geoscience interface in which the stratigraphic navigator 300 is presented, permitting the user to quickly reference and apply data to form inferences about a subsurface domain of interest. The method 700 may, for example, include receiving a command to display the displayed elements 316 of the stratigraphic column 308 and/or the elements 312 of the chronostratigraphic column 306 in higher or lower resolution (e.g., via the granularity selector 317 and/or 414), as at 710. This is shown in and discussed above, for example, with reference to
Additionally, the method 700 may include receiving a selection of one or more layers (strata) in the stratigraphic column 308, as at 714. This may be accomplished by using a mouse or another input device to select one or more of the elements 316 of the stratigraphic column 308. In response, as at 716, geological data related to the selected layer (e.g., depth interval) may be displayed, e.g., in a (seismic) cross-section, well log, or another geological image or model. Additionally or alternatively, elements of the graphical geoscience interface may be identified, e.g., as depicted in
In an embodiment, the method 700 may also include receiving a selection of a single well, e.g., in the list of wells 310 or in the graphical geoscience interface 302, as at 718. As discussed above with reference to
The method 800 may include receiving a selection of a well, as at 802. As discussed above, in at least one embodiment, the graphical geoscience interface may provide a map view of a region, along with circles or other items that represent well locations, e.g., at the surface of the Earth. The stratigraphic navigator 300 may also provide a list of wells in the region. Accordingly, the method 800 may receive a selection from the list of wells or of one or more of the wells on the map in the graphical geoscience interface, and then may identify a geographical location of a well head associated with the well selection, as at 804. The well head may be in existence or planned but not yet drilled, or in any other state of completion.
The method 800 may then access geological data related to the geographical location of the well head, as at 806. The method 800 may, for example, check for stratigraphic data that has been collected from the local region and check for a geographical validity extension property. In the format that is created to store the stratigraphic columns and chart in a database, a specific geographical validity extension property may be included to indicate a validity of a specific stratigraphic object within a corresponding geographical area (e.g., a rectangle, a circle, a basin shape), as defined by one or more anchor points. The position of the anchor points may be defined by a coordinate system (e.g., a Cartesian X, Y system or a more complex system). The coordinates may be transformed into geographical positioning. Therefore, such a stratigraphic object may be considered “valid” within the shape defined by these anchor points. Thus, when interrogating a system, by comparing geographical position of wells and stratigraphic object's geographical validity, the system may decide what is relevant for a particular use case.
The available stratigraphic data may then be displayed in context with the geological interface, as at 808. The available stratigraphic data may also be paired with a point on a chronostratigraphic reference timeline, which may permit conversion of local depth-dependent data to an age standard that may be applicable to multiple regions.
In addition, the method 800 may receive a selection of an element of the stratigraphic column, as at 810. For example, a user may type in a mnemonic representing a particular stratum, and the stratigraphic navigator 300 may employ a search technique to associate the mnemonic with a particular element 316 of the stratigraphic column 308. The selected stratigraphic element may then be paired with the point on the chronostratigraphic reference timeline at 810.
Beginning with
In
In
The method 1000 may include adjusting the granularity of the chronostratigraphic column 306, the stratigraphic column 308, or both, in response to user input, e.g., via a granularity selector 317, 414, as at 1004. This may permit a user to scroll through and select or otherwise extract information from elements 312, 316 of different levels of time or depth specificity.
Additionally or alternatively, the method 1000 may include adjusting visible elements of the stratigraphic column in response to user input, as at 1006. Such user input may be via the time selector 314, which may permit adjusting the displayed chronostratigraphic time-intervals that encompass the stratigraphic elements 312 that are visible. Further, in response to user selections or other input, the method 1000 may include highlighting visible and/or selected intervals in well cross-sections, as at 1008.
Referring to
The method 1100 may include receiving a selection of a well from a graphical geoscience interface, as at 1102, and then adjusting and displaying the stratigraphic data in a column 308, such that relative heights of respective elements 316 of the column 308 represent a depth interval of a corresponding layer, stratum, or other element of the subsurface domain through which the well extends, as at 1104.
The method 1200 may also include visualizing a stratigraphic navigator representing the chronostratigraphic timeline and at least some of the second geological data for the second location, as at 1212 (e.g.,
In an embodiment, the method 1200 may also include receiving an input from a user via interaction with the stratigraphic navigator, as at 1226 (e.g.,
In an embodiment, the method 1200 may include receiving a selection of one or more of the one or more wells in the graphical geoscience interface, as at 1234 (e.g.,
In an embodiment, the method 1200 may also include receiving a command to change a granularity of the stratigraphic column, as at 1238 (e.g.,
In an embodiment, the method 1200 may include receiving a command to change an age interval of the stratigraphic data that is being displayed in the stratigraphic column, as at 1242. The method 1200 may include adjusting the age interval of the stratigraphic data that is being displayed, as at 1244 (e.g.,
In an embodiment, the method 1200 may include receiving a selection of one or more of the elements of the stratigraphic column, as at 1246 (e.g.,
In an embodiment, the method 1200 may include receiving a selection of one or more wells, one or more zones, or one or more depth intervals of one or more wells in a graphical geological interval, as at 1252 (e.g.,
In an embodiment, the method 1200 may include receiving a selection of a well, as at 1256 (e.g.,
In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure may be executed by a computing system.
A processor may include a microprocessor, microcontroller, processor module or subsystem, programmable integrated circuit, programmable gate array, or another control or computing device.
The storage media 1306 may be implemented as one or more computer-readable or machine-readable storage media. Note that while in the example embodiment of
In some embodiments, computing system 1300 contains one or more stratigraphic navigation module(s) 1308. In the example of computing system 1300, computer system 1301A includes the stratigraphic navigation module 1308. In some embodiments, a single stratigraphic navigation module may be used to perform some aspects of one or more embodiments of the methods disclosed herein. In other embodiments, a plurality of stratigraphic navigation modules may be used to perform some aspects of methods herein.
It should be appreciated that computing system 1300 is merely one example of a computing system, and that computing system 1300 may have more or fewer components than shown, may combine additional components not depicted in the example embodiment of
Further, the steps in the processing methods described herein may be implemented by running one or more functional modules in information processing apparatus such as general purpose processors or application specific chips, such as ASICs, FPGAs, PLDs, or other appropriate devices. These modules, combinations of these modules, and/or their combination with general hardware are included within the scope of the present disclosure.
Computational interpretations, models, and/or other interpretation aids may be refined in an iterative fashion; this concept is applicable to the methods discussed herein. This may include use of feedback loops executed on an algorithmic basis, such as at a computing device (e.g., computing system 1300,
The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. Moreover, the order in which the elements of the methods described herein are illustrate and described may be re-arranged, and/or two or more elements may occur simultaneously. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the disclosed embodiments and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/199,539, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NAVIGATING GEOLOGICAL VISUALIZATIONS,” filed Jan. 7, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2021/013018 | 1/12/2021 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63199539 | Jan 2021 | US |
