Seismic Feature Extraction for Sparse Well Log Property Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for estimating subsurface properties from seismic data are unreliable due to the sparsity of well logs, leading to inaccurate predictions and overfitting, especially when integrating seismic data with well logs using one-dimensional machine learning models.

Innovation Solution

Employing two machine learning models, a first model to extract seismic features and a second model to integrate seismic data with well logs, reducing the risk of overfitting and improving lateral consistency in subsurface property estimation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If one-dimensional machine learning models are used to integrate seismic data with well logs, then the mapping function can be trained, but the estimation becomes unreliable throughout the entire seismic survey area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of subsurface property estimationVSAvoidcomplexity of mapping function
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional mapping functions to two-dimensional mapping functions that simultaneously process both inline and crossline seismic directions. This dimensional expansion allows the model to capture lateral variations in subsurface properties across the entire survey area, resolving the unreliability issue while maintaining manageable complexity through structured multi-dimensional processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If well logs are down-sampled to seismic scale, then the data can be integrated, but the estimation remains valid only around training wells

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplicability of estimation across survey areaVSAvoidprecision of subsurface property prediction
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops a mapping function that serves multiple purposes: it accurately represents subsurface properties around training wells while simultaneously providing reliable predictions across the entire survey area. The two-dimensional approach enables the model to generalize well beyond the immediate well locations, achieving universal applicability without sacrificing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Quantity of substance

If seismic data is integrated with sparse well logs, then subsurface properties can be estimated, but overfitting occurs and predictions become inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of training dataVSAvoidaccuracy of predictions
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By expanding from one-dimensional to two-dimensional mapping, the patent effectively increases the information capacity of the training data utilization. This allows the model to learn more robust patterns from the sparse well log data while maintaining generalization capability, preventing overfitting and improving prediction accuracy across the entire survey area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4088004B1Subsurface property estimation in a seismic survey area with sparse well logs
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 SERVICES PETROLIERS SCHLUMBERGER SA
  • EP4088004B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1D
  • EP4088004B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4088004B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A method for seismic processing includes extracting, using a first machine learning model, one or more seismic features from seismic data representing a subsurface domain, receiving one or more well logs representing one or more subsurface properties in the subsurface domain, and predicting, using a second machine learning model, the one or more subsurface properties in the subsurface domain at a location that does not correspond to an existing well based on the seismic data, the one or more well logs, and the one or more seismic features that were extracted from the seismic data.