Stratigraphic Forward Modelling Layer Thickness Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stratigraphic forward modeling programs for sedimentary basin formation lack accuracy in correlating simulated sediment layers with experimental data from wells, leading to discrepancies between modeled and actual sediment thicknesses and facies distributions.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that determines average deposition rates and layer thicknesses for facies logs, adjusts layer thicknesses to match facies changes, and correlates environmental factors across multiple wells to accurately simulate sedimentary basin formation, ensuring correspondence between modeled and actual sedimentary structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If stratigraphic forward modelling programs simulate sedimentary basin formation without incorporating experimental well data, then the modeling process is simpler and faster, but the accuracy and correspondence with actual sedimentary structures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating average deposition rates and determining the number of sedimentary layers to be simulated before running the forward modeling program. This pre-computation of key parameters from well data enables the simulation to be both efficient and accurate, resolving the contradiction between modeling speed and accuracy by preparing necessary data in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using experimental well data to validate and adjust the simulated sedimentary structures. The method compares simulated layer thicknesses and facies distributions with actual well measurements, allowing the model to be corrected and refined, thereby improving accuracy without significantly increasing modeling time.
2Measurement precision
If the number of simulated sedimentary layers is increased to improve resolution, then the modeling complexity and computation time increase, but the correspondence with facies log data improves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the number of simulated sedimentary layers based on calculated average deposition rates and facies log characteristics. Rather than using a fixed high number of layers, the method optimizes the layer count to match the actual geological record, achieving high resolution where needed while reducing complexity in other areas.
3Measurement precision
If experimental well data is incorporated to improve modeling accuracy, then the correspondence with actual sedimentary structures improves, but the difficulty of correlating simulated layers with facies logs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the continuous facies log into discrete sedimentary layers based on identified facies changes. This segmentation approach makes it easier to correlate simulated layers with actual well data by creating comparable discrete units, thereby reducing the difficulty of matching simulation results with experimental observations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of layer thickness from being a continuous variable to being discretized into countable sedimentary layers. This transformation simplifies the correlation process by enabling direct comparison between the number of simulated layers and the number of facies changes in the well log, making the matching process more straightforward.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for setting parameters of a stratigraphic forward modelling program for modelling the formation of a sedimentary basin, wherein the stratigraphic forward modelling program is configured to simulate the superposition of successive layers of sediments, each layer of sediments corresponding to a determined period of time, the method comprising steps of: - receiving a facies log corresponding to an initial state of at least one well belonging to the sedimentary basin, wherein the facies log comprises a succession of layers of different facies wherein each layer extends from a respective depth with a respective thickness, and - determining a number of layers of sediments to be simulated by the stratigraphic forward modelling program for modelling the facies log, and a thickness of each layer of sediments, such that each facies layer of the facies log is modelled by at least one corresponding layer of sediments simulated by the stratigraphic forward modelling program.