Present-Day Lithosphere Thickness Inversion for Thermal History Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional petroleum systems modeling (PSM) methods introduce uncertainty due to the estimation of initial lithospheric thickness, which affects thermal history modeling and subsequent petroleum systems predictions, as they rely on default lithosphere thickness values rather than accurate present-day measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method that inverts syn-rift and post-rift subsidence using present-day lithospheric thickness values and stretching factors, eliminating the need for estimated initial lithosphere values by employing remote sensing data and seismic imaging to define present-day lithospheric thicknesses, thereby reducing uncertainty in temperature history modeling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional modeling software is used to calculate lithospheric layer thicknesses using the McKenzie Model, then the workflow is widely accepted and can be implemented, but uncertainty is introduced due to estimation of initial lithosphere thickness values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional forward modeling approach by performing backward inversion: instead of estimating initial lithosphere thickness and forward-modeling to present day, the method starts with present-day lithospheric thickness values (constrained by seismic and gravity data) and inverts to determine past thickness variations. This reversal eliminates the need to estimate unknown initial conditions, thereby reducing uncertainty while maintaining implementation feasibility through established inversion algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter approach by shifting from estimating initial lithosphere thickness (a poorly constrained parameter) to using present-day lithospheric thickness values (well-constrained by seismic and gravity data) as the starting point. This parameter transformation propagates less uncertainty through the modeling process, improving reliability while keeping the workflow implementable through standard geological data acquisition methods
2Productivity
If default lithosphere thickness values are used as estimates, then the modeling process can proceed without additional data collection, but the thermal history model precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary constraining of present-day lithospheric thickness values using available seismic and gravity data before the main inversion process. This preliminary action establishes accurate boundary conditions that propagate through the subsequent inversion and thermal modeling, ensuring high precision without requiring additional field data collection during the main modeling phase, thus maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces present-day lithospheric thickness values (constrained by seismic and gravity data) as an intermediary that mediates between the unknown initial conditions and the thermal history model. This intermediary parameter is well-constrained by independent geological data, allowing accurate thermal modeling to proceed efficiently without direct measurement of ancient lithosphere thickness
Data Source
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AI summary
A method includes determining a present-day thickness of a lithosphere. The method also includes determining whether the determined present-day thickness of the lithosphere substantially matches an interpreted present-day thickness of the lithosphere. The method also includes generating or updating a temperature history model in response to determining that the determined present-day thickness of the lithosphere substantially matches the interpreted present-day thickness of the lithosphere.