Stratigraphic Boundary Identification via Derivative Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current chemostratigraphic methods are time-consuming and resource-intensive due to the manual processing of large datasets involving hundreds of elements and elemental ratios, making it difficult to identify key parameters for stratigraphic subdivisions.
Innovation Solution
The use of first and second derivatives, combined with data filtering and principal component analysis, to automate the identification of stratigraphic boundaries in well logs, allowing for efficient processing and identification of significant changes in elemental profiles and ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual processing of chemostratigraphic datasets is used, then detailed analysis of hundreds of elements and ratios can be performed, but processing time becomes excessively long (weeks to months)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processing of chemostratigraphic data with automated computational algorithms. The system automatically calculates first and second derivatives of elemental profiles, applies threshold criteria, and identifies stratigraphic boundaries without human intervention, reducing processing time from weeks to seconds while maintaining analytical precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the analysis approach by changing from examining absolute elemental values to examining their derivatives (rates of change). By calculating first and second derivatives, the system identifies boundaries based on changes in slope and curvature of elemental profiles, enabling automated detection of stratigraphic boundaries that would require manual inspection of hundreds of elements
2Productivity
If automated derivative-based analysis is applied, then processing time is reduced to seconds, but the complexity of data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex chemostratigraphic analysis into distinct computational steps: (1) calculating first derivatives of elemental profiles, (2) calculating second derivatives, (3) applying threshold criteria to identify boundaries, and (4) summarizing results. This segmentation allows complex analysis to be performed through simple, sequential operations that can be automated
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces derivative calculations as an intermediary step between raw elemental data and boundary identification. By computing first and second derivatives as intermediate parameters, the system transforms complex multi-element analysis into a simplified threshold-based detection process, making automation feasible
3Quantity of substance
If hundreds of elements and ratios are analyzed manually, then comprehensive chemostratigraphic information can be obtained, but the difficulty of identifying key parameters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service analysis by automatically evaluating all elemental profiles and their derivatives against established threshold criteria. The algorithm independently identifies key parameters and stratigraphic boundaries without requiring geologist intervention, allowing comprehensive analysis of hundreds of elements while automatically filtering for significant parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the search for key parameters from manual inspection to automated derivative-based detection. By converting elemental profiles into their first and second derivatives, the system automatically highlights parameters with significant rates of change, making it easy to identify key boundaries among hundreds of elements without human judgment
Data Source
AI summary
An elemental analysis of rock samples from outcrop sections or wells is performed. Data quality checks, data analysis, and filtering are performed on the rock samples, including de-spiking of elemental profiles and elemental ratios. First and second derivatives for the elemental profiles and the elemental ratios are calculated. Samples and depths that exceed thresholds are determined. The process is repeated for the elemental profiles and the elemental ratios that are related with boundary determination and carbonate or siliciclastic sediments. Additional filters are applied to at least a subset of the elemental profiles and elemental ratios that are related with boundary determination and carbonate or siliciclastic sediments to enhance the boundary identification. Possible boundaries in depths of the outcrop sections or wells are determined by summarizing the additionally filtered elemental profiles and the additionally filtered elemental ratios.