3D Seismic Object Delineation via Hybrid Active Contour and Level Set Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D geological object delineation techniques from seismic data are computationally simple and unreliable due to poor contrast and signal ambiguities, failing to accurately represent geological elements essential for oil and gas exploration viability.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid method combining active contour and level set segmentation techniques, allowing for simultaneous explicit and implicit representations of 3D objects, incorporating multiple characteristics and expert-driven methods to improve delineation accuracy and robustness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If thresholding and connected component analysis are used for 3D geobody delineation, then the method is computationally simple, but the reliability is poor due to poor contrast and signal ambiguities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple segmentation techniques (thresholding, connected component analysis, region growing, neural network classification) into a hybrid system that integrates their strengths while compensating for individual weaknesses, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing computational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite segmentation approach that integrates multiple methodologies (active contours, level sets, neural networks) into a unified system, analogous to composite materials, where each component contributes specific properties that together achieve superior delineation reliability
2Ease of operation
If active contour based techniques are used, then explicit object representation enables topological constraints to be integrated, but the method is less capable of dealing with topology changes compared to level sets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges active contour methods (which excel at integrating topological constraints through explicit representation) with level set methods (which excel at handling topology changes), creating a hybrid system that leverages the strengths of both approaches simultaneously
3Adaptability or versatility
If level set methods are used for segmentation, then implicit object representation handles topology changes well, but the computational overhead is significant and topological constraints are harder to integrate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines level set methods with active contour techniques, allowing the system to handle topology changes effectively through level sets while reducing computational overhead by selectively applying active contour constraints where appropriate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different representation methods locally - using explicit active contour representation in regions where topological constraints are critical and implicit level set representation in regions where topology changes are expected, thereby optimizing computational resources
4Measurement precision
If sophisticated segmentation techniques are used to overcome poor contrast and signal ambiguities, then delineation accuracy improves, but the computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple segmentation techniques into a unified hybrid system that achieves high delineation accuracy by combining the complementary strengths of each method while managing computational complexity through coordinated operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the segmentation process into distinct stages, each employing appropriate techniques for that stage (e.g., initial segmentation using thresholding, refinement using active contours, topology adjustment using level sets), thereby achieving high accuracy without requiring all techniques to operate simultaneously at full complexity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed is a method of 3D object delineation from 3D seismic data comprising the steps of, providing 3D seismic data (144,200,300; processing the data (210,310) based on at least one characteristic (320) whereby said characteristic is extracted from the data and compared with at least one reference characteristic and delineated (330) based on the comparison, and defining a geological element (340) based on the delineation. The characteristics (320) may be adjusted. Data can be processed (210,310) based on one characteristic (222,232) then processed based on a second characteristic (224,234) or data is processed based on two characteristics substantially simultaneously (252). Data may be processed n times (246) producing n delineations from which the geological element is defined (260). An algorithm is provided for processing the data which may shift an evolving shape description of an object between explicit (222,234) and implicit (224,232) representations, where each shift applies a transformation to the object. Multiple sources of data (200,200', 200") may be utilised simultaneously to drive the delineation process.