Formation-Top Depth Prediction From Local Offset-Well Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for identifying new drilling locations face inefficiencies due to limited drill-well data, increased computational overhead, and rigidity in model generation and evaluation, leading to inaccurate geological models and excessive resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
A formation-top modeling system that utilizes offset drill-well data within a threshold geographic area to determine formation-top trends and depths, estimating a variogram for observed formation-top depths and mapping continuous surfaces without requiring a reservoir model, thereby increasing efficiency and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a reservoir model is built using seismic inversion and stratigraphic grid transfer, then modeling accuracy is improved, but computational overhead and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary formation-top depth information from the complex reservoir model building process. Instead of building a complete reservoir model with seismic inversion and stratigraphic grid transfer, the system directly queries and processes drill-well data to obtain formation-top depths at specific locations, eliminating unnecessary computational steps while maintaining accuracy for the specific purpose of identifying drilling locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the geological modeling process into discrete, data-driven steps: collecting drill-well data, identifying formation tops at specific depths, determining spatial relationships between wells, and predicting formation-top depths at target locations. This segmentation allows the system to process only the essential data needed for location identification without undertaking the full reservoir modeling process.
2Measurement precision
If a reservoir model is built using seismic to simulation processes, then modeling accuracy is improved, but time consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-processing and storing drill-well data, formation-top depths, and spatial relationships in a structured format. This allows the system to quickly query and interpolate formation-top depths at new locations without repeating time-intensive seismic inversion and stratigraphic grid transfer processes, thereby reducing time consumption while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential formation-top depth information from the complex reservoir model building process. Instead of building a complete reservoir model with seismic inversion and stratigraphic grid transfer, the system directly queries and processes drill-well data to obtain formation-top depths at specific locations, eliminating unnecessary computational steps while maintaining accuracy for the specific purpose of identifying drilling locations.
3Measurement precision
If expert interpretation is used to parameterize and fine-tune model predictions, then modeling accuracy is improved, but device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by using automated algorithms to process drill-well data, identify formation tops, and predict depths at new locations. The system automatically queries stored data, performs spatial interpolation, and generates predictions without requiring expert geologists to manually parameterize and fine-tune models, thereby reducing software and operational complexity while maintaining accuracy through data-driven approaches.
4Measurement precision
If computational processes process entire reservoir model data, then modeling accuracy is improved, but loss of substance and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by focusing computational processes only on the specific local area around the target drilling location. Instead of processing entire reservoir model data, the system queries and processes only drill-well data and formation-top depth information relevant to the local region, thereby reducing data transmission bandwidth and resource consumption while maintaining accuracy for the specific local geological conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media for dynamically utilizing offset drill-well data generated within a threshold geographic area to determine formation-top trends and identify formation-top depths at a subject drill-well site. To do so, in some embodiments, the disclosed systems estimate a variogram for observed formation-top depths of a subset of offset drill-wells, and, in turn, map a predicted response from the estimated variogram. For example, using weighted combinations (e.g., with Kriging weights) of the formation-top depths of the subset of offset drill-wells, the disclosed systems can map a continuous surface of a formation and identify a top-depth thereof. Moreover, the disclosed system can do so for multiple formations at the subject drill-well site, and (in real-time in response to a user input) provide for display at a client device, the associated formation-top depths, various predicted drilling events and/or predicted drilling metrics.