Automated Fault Segment Generation from Seismic Pointsets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for analyzing seismic data to determine faults in subterranean formations are manual, leading to slower response times, reduced accuracy, and inconsistency in fault segment generation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that automate the generation and identification of fault segments by receiving a fault plane pointset, identifying the predominant fault plane direction, generating fault segments perpendicular to this direction, and processing these segments to detect overlapping pairs and generate subsets representing fault planes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual analysis of fault plane pointset is performed, then accuracy and consistency of fault segment generation can be maintained through expert judgment, but response time is significantly slowed and productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical analysis process with an automated computer-based system that processes fault plane pointsets through algorithmic operations. The system automatically generates fault segments by processing seismic data through defined computational steps, eliminating manual intervention while maintaining consistency and accuracy through standardized processing procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automation where the computer automatically performs fault segment generation without requiring expert manual analysis. The automated process independently handles data processing, fault identification, and segment generation, freeing experts from routine analysis tasks while maintaining high productivity and consistent results.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual fault segment generation is performed, then complex fault patterns can be interpreted with expert knowledge, but consistency and repeatability of results are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal automated system that can handle various fault patterns and configurations through standardized processing algorithms. The same computational procedures are applied consistently to different datasets, ensuring repeatability and consistency while maintaining the ability to interpret complex fault patterns through adaptable processing parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains adaptability to complex fault patterns by adjusting processing parameters and thresholds while keeping the core algorithm consistent. By modifying input parameters such as fault detection thresholds and segmentation criteria, the system can adapt to different geological scenarios while ensuring consistent and repeatable analysis results through standardized processing.
3Productivity
If automated fault segment generation is implemented, then productivity and response time are improved, but system complexity and algorithm sophistication requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent breaks down the complex fault analysis process into distinct sequential steps: receiving fault plane pointsets, identifying predominant fault directions, generating fault segments perpendicular to these directions, and processing segments to identify overlapping pairs. This segmentation of the processing workflow simplifies the overall system complexity while maintaining high productivity through automated execution of each discrete step.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure presents processes to automatically generate one or more set of fault segments from a fault plane pointset. The processes can identify a predominant direction and derive a set of fault segments from the fault plane pointset, where the fault segments are generated by using slices of data from the fault plane pointset that are perpendicular to the predominant direction. For each slice of data, the fault segments can be analyzed with neighboring fault segments to determine if they are overlapping. Fault segments that block or overlap other fault segments can be assigned to a different subset of fault segments from the underlying fault segments. Gaps in the fault plane pointset, and the resulting set of fault segments, can be filled in by merging neighboring fault segments above and below the gap if the neighboring fault segments satisfy a criteria for filling the gap.