Fault Throw Calculation Using Pseudo Wells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for calculating underground geological boundaries face challenges when dealing with faults, as they often ignore data across faults, leading to inaccuracies in interpolating depth values, especially in occluded zones between faults, resulting in artificially high or low calculated surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The method involves placing pseudo wells at the ends of geological faults to calculate fault throws, allowing the inclusion of actual depth values from boreholes on both sides of the fault, using techniques like Kriging for interpolation, to more accurately determine the geological boundary surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If data across faults are excluded from interpolation, then the simplicity of the calculation method is maintained, but the measurement precision of depth values deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (fault throw calculation using pseudo-wells) that mediates between the simple exclusion method and the need for precise depth values. By calculating fault throws separately and applying them as corrections to interpolated values, the system maintains calculation simplicity while improving precision through the intermediary correction step.
2Ease of manufacture
If a limited data set is used for surface creation, then the ease of data collection is maintained, but the reliability of the calculated surface deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating fault throws and storing them for later use in surface creation. This preliminary computation allows the system to work with limited data sets while maintaining reliability, as the fault throw corrections are prepared in advance and systematically applied during the surface interpolation process.
3Measurement precision
If fault throws are calculated using pseudo-wells, then the measurement precision of surface representation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating virtual pseudo-well representations at fault locations to capture fault throw information. These pseudo-well copies allow the system to incorporate fault data without requiring physical additional measurements, thus improving surface representation precision while managing complexity through virtual rather than physical additions.
4Quantity of substance
If depth values from both sides of faults are incorporated, then the quantity of usable data increases, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring accurate depth values increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the fault analysis into separate components: fault throw calculation on one side, fault throw calculation on the other side, and then combining them through interpolation. This segmented approach allows the system to process data from both sides of faults systematically, increasing usable data quantity while managing measurement difficulty through structured segmentation of the calculation process.
Data Source
AI summary
Calculating a fault throw. At least some embodiments are methods of determining an underground surface or horizon including: identifying an occluded zone residing between a first and second faults, the occluded zone not penetrated by an actual borehole, and the first and second faults intersect an expected location of the surface; calculating a fault throw for the first fault; and calculating the underground surface using the fault throw. Calculating the fault throw may include: calculating a first pseudo depth at a first end of the first fault, the calculating the first pseudo depth using at least one actual depth value that resides across the first fault from the first end; calculating a second pseudo depth at a second end of the first fault, the second end distinct from the first end; and determining the fault throw using the first and second pseudo depths.