3D object delineation

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of 3D object delineation from 3D seismic data comprising the steps of providing 3D seismic data (144,200,300; processing the data (210,310) based on at least one characteristic (320) whereby said characteristic is extracted from the data and compared with at least one reference characteristic and delineated (330) based on the comparison, and defining a geological element (340) based on the delineation. The characteristics (320) may be adjusted. Data can be processed (210,310) based on one characteristic (222,232) then processed based on a second characteristic (224,234) or data is processed based on two characteristics substantially simultaneously (252). Data may be processed n times (246) producing n delineations from which the geological element is defined (260). An algorithm is provided for processing the data which may shift an evolving shape description of an object between explicit (222,234) and implicit (224,232) representations, where each shift applies a transformation to the object. Multiple sources of data (200,200′, 200″) may be utilised simultaneously to drive the delineation process.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to a hybrid method for 3D object delineation based on segmentation methodologies.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]In 3D seismic imaging and interpretation of these images, there are a number of commercial software products available for estimating the economic viability of oil and gas exploration; which help determine the viability of exploitation projects. Some of these products utilise thresholding and / or connected component analysis and / or region growing or neural network classification techniques in order to define so-called 3D Geological Elements (or “3D geobodies”).[0003]In non-seismic imaging domains more sophisticated techniques have been developed, some of which have been incorporated into commercial products, and image segmentation is still an active area of research. Two techniques with interesting properties in relation to the seismic image analysis problem are active contours and level sets.[0004]3D geobody delineation ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a method for delineating objects in 3D seismic data using a combination of structural and spatial constraints, as well as topological and functional information. The method can simultaneously represent and deform multiple 3D objects, and can incorporate various sources of image information to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the delineation process. This method can be used for a wide range of applications, including seismic image analysis, multi-modal image analysis, and even incomplete or noisy data analysis.

Problems solved by technology

The objects are not “detected” in the sense that the method is unable to determine whether any 3D objects greater than a single image pixel actually exist.

Likewise it provides no means for the operator to isolate individual objects that may exist.

Despite the success of the existing techniques, none of the aforementioned methods are capable of adequately delineating 3D geological objects from 3D seismic data.

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