Petroleum Play Ranking via Composite Geological Scoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The variation in geological characteristics among petroleum plays makes it difficult to objectively compare and rank their exploration potential, leading to arbitrary selection of areas for further exploration.
Innovation Solution
A system that analyzes information from interactive empirical databases to derive composite scores for geological domains by upscaling multi-layered polygons representing the presence or effectiveness of source rock, reservoir, and seal, enabling objective comparison and ranking of exploration potential across disparate domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional evaluation methods are used to assess petroleum plays, then individual play characteristics can be analyzed, but objective comparison and ranking across different plays cannot be achieved due to geological variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms qualitative geological assessments into quantitative parameters by assigning numerical scores to multiple petroleum system elements (source rock, reservoir, seal, trap, timing). This parameterization enables mathematical aggregation and objective comparison across different geological plays, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and adaptability to geological variation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite exploration potential index by integrating multiple individual play characteristics (source rock quality, reservoir properties, seal effectiveness, trap geometry, timing relationships) into a single composite score. This composite approach allows diverse geological plays to be compared on a unified scale, overcoming the limitation of无法 comparing heterogeneous geological systems.
2Loss of information
If multiple petroleum system elements are evaluated separately, then detailed analysis of each element is achieved, but integrated assessment of overall exploration potential is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate evaluations of petroleum system elements (source rock, reservoir, seal, trap, timing) into a single integrated exploration potential ranking. By combining individual scores through weighted aggregation, the system preserves detailed information about each element while producing a unified assessment that reflects overall play quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a universal evaluation framework that can assess multiple different petroleum plays using the same methodology. The multi-functional system handles various rock types, structural configurations, and geological settings through standardized scoring criteria, enabling consistent integrated assessment across diverse plays without losing element-specific information.
3Productivity
If arbitrary selection methods are used for exploration areas, then selection process is simple, but exploration efficiency and success rate deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces arbitrary human judgment and subjective selection processes with an objective computational ranking system. The automated calculation of exploration potential scores based on quantified geological parameters eliminates bias and inconsistency in play selection, significantly improving exploration efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity through user-friendly software implementation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for determining exploration potential ranking for petroleum plays according to some aspects receives geological survey data of a geographical area to be ranked for a future petroleum play. The system generates predicted values based on the geological survey data, each predicted value indicating a probability that a portion of the basin includes a first characteristic. A set of polygons that represent the basin may be generated based on the predicted values. Each polygon represents a contiguous portion of the basin that has a same predicted value. A basin is score is generated by: generating a score for each polygon using the predicted value; and aggregating the score of each polygon of the set of polygons into the basin score. The basin score is displayed for use displaying for use in determining an area in which drilling a wellbore would have a greater probability of success.