Fault Displacement Vector Computation via Stratigraphic Function Iso-Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Reservoir modeling and simulation in the oil & gas industry face challenges due to incomplete data from seismic surveys and complex subsurface formations, particularly in determining fault displacement vectors and fault damage zones, which are crucial for accurate structural restoration and hydrocarbon migration prediction.

Innovation Solution

A method involving computing iso-surfaces from a three-dimensional stratigraphic function to extract seismic data along strike traces on either side of a fault, correlating the data to calculate fault displacement vectors, and determining fault damage zones, using cross-correlation techniques to refine these calculations and visualize the results for improved structural restoration and reservoir modeling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual interpretation of collected data by skilled personnel is used to generate structural information, then accuracy of fault characterization can be improved, but productivity and cost-effectiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of fault characterizationVSAvoidproductivity of structural modeling

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical interpretation processes with automated computational algorithms. Specifically, it uses computer-implemented methods to automatically generate fault displacement vectors and damage zone definitions by processing seismic and well log data through systematic computational procedures, eliminating the need for manual interpretation while maintaining or improving accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the computational algorithm to automatically interpret the data without human intervention. The method autonomously processes seismic surveys and well logging data to generate structural information, fault characterizations, and restoration models, making the system self-sufficient in performing tasks that previously required skilled personnel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of information

If seismic surveys and well logging are used to gather data, then information about subsurface formation can be obtained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to incomplete data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of subsurface dataVSAvoidaccuracy of structural information

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary computational process that bridges the gap between incomplete seismic/well log data and accurate structural information. The method uses algorithms to interpolate, correlate, and integrate data from multiple sources (seismic surveys, well logging) to reconstruct complete fault displacement vectors and damage zone definitions, effectively mediating between partial observations and comprehensive understanding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary computational processing of seismic and well log data before final interpretation. By pre-processing the data through systematic algorithms to extract fault characteristics and generate initial structural models, the method prepares enhanced input data that improves subsequent measurement precision and reduces information loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If structural restoration techniques are used to reproduce natural deformation, then understanding of subsurface formation evolution can be improved, but reliability deteriorates due to inability to accurately determine constraints and parameters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunderstanding of formation evolutionVSAvoidreliability of restoration constraints

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces unreliable manual determination of restoration constraints with automated computational algorithms. The system uses computer-implemented methods to systematically calculate fault displacement vectors and damage zone definitions, providing objective and reproducible constraints for structural restoration that eliminate subjectivity and improve reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The method incorporates feedback mechanisms where the computational algorithm iteratively refines fault displacement vectors and damage zone definitions based on seismic and well log data. The system continuously adjusts and validates its outputs against the input data, ensuring that restoration constraints are accurately determined and reliably applied in structural restoration modeling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11209561B2Generation of fault displacement vector and/or fault damage zone in subsurface formation using stratigraphic function

Publication Date: 2021.12.28 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A method, apparatus, and program product may model a subsurface formation by computing an iso-surface for an iso-value from a three-dimensional stratigraphic function (436) for a volume of interest in the subsurface formation, computing first and second strike traces (454, 456) following a topography of the computed iso-surface on respective first and second sides of a fault (452) in the volume of interest, extracting seismic data (458, 460) along the first and second strike traces, correlating the extracted seismic data along the first and second strike traces, and computing a fault displacement vector (C) for the fault from the correlated extracted seismic data along the first and second strike traces.