3D Drill Core Modeling With Georeferenced Photogrammetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for digitizing drill cores result in significant information loss due to 50% of the core surface being hidden, lack georeferencing, and require laboratory equipment for operation, compromising core integrity during transportation.
Innovation Solution
A method using Structure from Motion/Multi-View Stereo photogrammetry to generate a three-dimensional digital model of a drill core, incorporating georeferencing and a portable acquisition system for continuous, geometrically faithful representation, allowing integration with other data sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If drill cores are digitized using conventional 2D photography or 3D scanning devices, then digitization can be performed, but 50% of the core surface is hidden and information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D photography to 3D photogrammetry, capturing the drill core in three dimensions. By positioning the core vertically and capturing images from multiple angles around the entire circumference, the system eliminates the 50% information loss inherent in 2D methods, allowing complete surface documentation including previously hidden areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the drill core into multiple segments or sections, each positioned vertically on a rotating base. By segmenting the core and processing each section individually with complete 360-degree imaging, the system ensures no surface area is hidden, while the segmented approach also facilitates manageable data processing and storage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If commercial 3D digitization devices are used, then the entire cylindrical surface can be reconstructed, but the equipment is not portable and requires laboratory installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical 3D scanning equipment with a photogrammetry-based system using standard cameras. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky laboratory devices, enabling portability while maintaining complete 3D surface capture capabilities through software-based processing of multiple 2D images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal digitization system that can be deployed in various field locations rather than requiring fixed laboratory installation. The portable setup allows the same equipment to serve multiple drilling sites, and the method accommodates different core sizes and types, enhancing adaptability across diverse applications.
3Loss of information
If commercial 3D digitization devices are used, then digital reconstruction is achieved, but georeferencing information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates georeferencing markers and coordinate system establishment as preliminary steps before actual core digitization. By pre-positioning reference markers and establishing the coordinate framework in advance, the system ensures that spatial location data is captured alongside the core surface geometry, enabling later integration with geological models and other geospatial data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses georeferencing markers and coordinate transformation algorithms as intermediaries between the physical core and the digital model. These intermediaries preserve the spatial relationship and location information, allowing the digital reconstruction to maintain accurate georeferencing that can be integrated with other geoscientific data sources.
4Ease of operation
If individual drill core fragments are digitized separately, then each fragment can be processed, but continuous visualization along the well is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individually digitized core fragments into a single continuous 3D model by aligning them according to their spatial coordinates and georeferencing data. The photogrammetry process captures scale and position information that enables automatic or semi-automatic stitching of fragments, preserving the continuous geological context along the wellbore while maintaining processing efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables continuous, georeferenced 3D visualization of the entire drill core length, preserving integrity and facilitating integration with other data types, while being portable and efficient.
Implementation Method 1
A method is disclosed for generating a three-dimensional digital model of a drill core, comprising the steps of: positioning at least one drill core fragment, perpendicularly, on the center of at least one rotating base of an acquisition scenario
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for generating a three-dimensional digital model of a drill core, comprising the steps of positioning at least one drill core fragment in an acquisition scenario; capturing images of the drill core fragment; generating a mask for each captured image; reconstructing the position and angle of the image; generating at least one dense point cloud; generating at least one polygonal mesh; georeferencing the drill core fragment; performing texture processing; and unifying a plurality of drill core fragments into a single three-dimensional object.