Microseismic Data Histogram Bin Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for generating histograms of microseismic data from hydraulic fracturing treatments in subterranean formations are inefficient in identifying dominant fracture orientations, as they lack effective techniques for analyzing and visualizing the complex distribution of microseismic events in real-time, leading to incomplete understanding of fracture patterns and their orientations.
Innovation Solution
A computing subsystem is employed to analyze microseismic data, identifying coplanar subsets of events, calculating basic plane orientations, and generating histograms that represent the probability distribution of fracture orientations, allowing for the identification of dominant fracture orientations and the generation of fracture planes based on these analyses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If current histogram generation methods are used for microseismic data, then the analysis process is simple, but the identification of dominant fracture orientations is inefficient and incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments microseismic events into coplanar subsets based on spatial and temporal criteria, allowing dominant fracture orientations to be identified from distinct plane groupings rather than treating all events uniformly. This segmentation enables more efficient and accurate identification of dominant orientations by analyzing structured patterns in the data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the analysis from traditional 2D histograms to 3D visualizations that incorporate strike, dip, and magnitude dimensions. This dimensional enhancement provides comprehensive understanding of fracture patterns while maintaining computational efficiency through structured data organization.
2Loss of information
If complex analysis techniques are applied to microseismic data, then the understanding of fracture patterns improves, but the computational complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary organization of microseismic events into coplanar subsets before detailed analysis, using spatial and temporal filtering to pre-structure the data. This preliminary action reduces the complexity of subsequent analysis by presenting pre-processed, organized data that highlights dominant patterns without requiring complex computational algorithms.
3Speed
If traditional histogram methods are used, then the processing speed is fast, but the real-time visualization of fracture orientations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances specific regions of the analysis by applying different processing qualities to different data aspects: rapid filtering for speed-critical operations, detailed 3D visualization for orientation analysis, and selective rendering for dominant features. This local quality differentiation maintains processing speed while enhancing visualization of fracture orientations where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and software can be used for processing microseismic data from a subterranean region. In some aspects, groupings of data points are identified. The data points are based on microseismic data from a subterranean region. The identification of the groupings is constrained such that each grouping includes at least a minimum number of the data points, and such that the data points in each grouping have at most a maximum extent of variation. In some instances, a histogram of the data points is generated, and each of the identified groupings corresponds to a bin in the histogram.