Monte-Carlo Inversion Interactive Display for Well Logging Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current well logging technologies, particularly measurement-while-drilling (MWD) and logging-while-drilling (LWD) tools, face challenges in effectively interpreting and displaying complex formation data during the drilling process, limiting the ability to make real-time geosteering and geo-stopping decisions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an interactive display system using Monte-Carlo inversion to plot percentile scales against location parameters, allowing users to select specific percentiles and apply constraints, thereby identifying clusters of equally likely solutions and overlaying cross-sections from layered models, enhancing the visualization and interpretation of drilling data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional logging tools are used to collect formation data, then data acquisition is achieved, but the complexity of interpreting and displaying the data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the formation data into multiple percentile categories (e.g., 25th, 50th, 75th percentiles) and displays them as separate visual elements on the interactive plot. This segmentation allows complex data distributions to be broken down into manageable, interpretable components, reducing the cognitive load on users while maintaining comprehensive information representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an interactive percentile scale dimension alongside the traditional cross-section display. By adding this vertical percentile dimension to the horizontal spatial dimension, the system transforms 2D cross-sections into 3D-like percentile distributions, enabling users to visualize uncertainty and data variability without increasing display complexity.
2Measurement precision
If Monte-Carlo inversion is used to process logging data, then measurement precision is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary sorting and categorization of Monte-Carlo inversion results into percentile groups before display. By pre-organizing the computational results into quantiles, the system prepares the data structure in advance, allowing rapid interactive querying and visualization without reprocessing the entire dataset when users explore different percentile ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent displays partial results (specific percentiles) rather than processing all possible data combinations. By focusing on key percentile thresholds (25th, 50th, 75th) and allowing users to select specific percentiles of interest, the system provides sufficient information for decision-making without computationally expensive processing of every possible scenario.
3Ease of operation
If interactive plots with percentile scales are implemented, then user control over data visualization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal interactive plot framework that handles multiple data types (resistivity, porosity, NMR) and multiple visualization modes (cross-sections, percentile distributions, uncertainty plots) through a single unified interface. This multi-functional design allows users to access diverse formation data using the same percentile scale and interaction mechanisms, reducing the need for separate specialized tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified visual representations (copies) of complex formation data through standardized percentile plots and cross-section templates. By generating simplified visual models that capture essential data characteristics without displaying every raw data point, the system maintains ease of operation while managing computational and display complexity through abstraction.
4Loss of information
If multiple cross-section plots are overlaid to show different percentile solutions, then information completeness is improved, but display complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality differentiation by displaying different visual characteristics for different percentile solutions at different spatial locations. Using color coding, transparency levels, and plot styling that varies locally across the cross-section, the system distinguishes between various percentile solutions without requiring separate plots for each, thereby representing solution variety while controlling overall display complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests multiple cross-section plots within a single unified display framework, where percentile-specific cross-sections are layered or contained within a master plot structure. This nesting approach allows multiple solutions to be visualized simultaneously in a hierarchical organization, with lower-percentile plots contained within or layered behind higher-percentile plots, maintaining information completeness while managing visual complexity through structured arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
An interactive display of results obtained from the inversion of logging data is produced by obtaining and inverting the logging data using a Monte-Carlo inversion. An interactive plot having a percentile scale plotted against a location parameter is produced and a particular percentile is selected using the interactive plot. A cross-section plot for the particular percentile using the results of the Monte-Carlo inversion is produced. The particular percentile can be a curve representing a best-fit solution or a polyline representing selected solutions. Background color/shading can be displayed on the interactive plot to indicate user-defined constraints have been applied. Uncertain features can be plotted on a corresponding cross-section display using fading. Clusters of solutions that are substantially equally likely, given the measurements at a particular drill location, can be identified and plotted. A cross-section constructed from the layered models belonging to a particular cluster can be overlaid on another cross-section.