Foundational Wellbore Log Models for Low-Label ML Workflows

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity and diversity of wellbore logs, along with challenges in obtaining and labeling training data, lead to difficulties in deploying machine learning effectively in wellbore log-related applications, particularly due to high costs, inconsistent data, and limited processing and connectivity at oilfields.

Innovation Solution

A foundational model-based approach using unlabeled log data from multiple wellbores, constructed through self-supervised training with high-capacity neural networks, which is then fine-tuned for specific downstream applications, enabling robust performance across various tasks with reduced computational requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional machine learning models are built from scratch for specific tasks, then model accuracy for that task is improved, but computational costs and time requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodel accuracyVSAvoidcomputational costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-training a foundational model on a comprehensive dataset of wellbore logs before solving specific downstream tasks. This pre-training phase captures general geological patterns and relationships, allowing the model to be fine-tuned for specific tasks with much less computational effort and data requirements compared to training from scratch.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the machine learning process into two distinct phases: a foundational model training phase that learns general patterns from diverse wellbore log data, and a fine-tuning phase that adapts the model to specific downstream tasks. This segmentation allows the computationally intensive part to be done once with abundant data, while subsequent tasks require minimal computational resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If extensive labeled training data is collected and processed, then model performance is improved, but costs and time requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodel performanceVSAvoidtime for data preparation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by using the foundational model to generate its own training data through techniques like data augmentation and synthetic data generation. The model processes unlabeled wellbore log data to create augmented versions that preserve geological characteristics while increasing data diversity, thereby training on data that effectively serves the model's own learning needs without requiring extensive manual labeling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary data processing and feature extraction during the foundational model training phase, where data is preprocessed, cleaned, and transformed into meaningful representations. This preliminary action prepares the data structure and relationships once, allowing subsequent fine-tuning tasks to leverage this pre-processed data with minimal additional time investment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If domain experts manually label and curate training data, then data quality is improved, but labor requirements and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata qualityVSAvoidlabor requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by implementing automated data curation and labeling systems where the foundational model itself performs quality assessment and annotation of wellbore log data. The model automatically identifies data quality issues, generates labels for training datasets, and curates the most informative samples, thereby maintaining high data quality while eliminating the need for extensive manual labeling by domain experts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the foundational model continuously refines its data labeling and quality assessment based on performance metrics and expert validation. The system learns from initial expert annotations to improve automated labeling accuracy over time, creating a feedback loop that maintains high data quality while reducing dependency on manual expert labor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Measurement precision

If individual deep learning models are built for each wellbore log workflow, then task-specific performance is optimized, but system complexity and maintenance difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask-specific performanceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by building a single foundational model that can perform multiple downstream tasks related to wellbore log analysis. The model is designed with universal feature extractors and representation learning capabilities that can be adapted to various workflows such as lithology classification, reservoir characterization, and anomaly detection, thereby eliminating the need for separate specialized models for each task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the model architecture into a universal foundational component and task-specific fine-tuning layers. The foundational model provides general-purpose geological understanding through shared layers, while task-specific requirements are addressed by adding minimal adaptive components. This segmentation maintains task-specific performance optimization while significantly reducing overall system complexity compared to building entirely separate models for each workflow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20260010757A1Wellbore log-based machine learning using a foundational model
Publication Date: 2026.01.08 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP
  • US20260010757A1 patent drawing
  • US20260010757A1 patent drawing
  • US20260010757A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods of the present disclosure provide systems and methods related to using foundational model(s) for wellbore applications. The foundational model(s) may be constructed using a deep learning model with high capacity to train using data at scale. Additionally, the foundational model(s) may be constructed from such well logs containing unlabeled data and may be constructed using self-supervised approaches. The foundational model is generalized and suitable for performing multiple downstream tasks/applications using the foundational model.