Virtual Core Generation via Multi-Sensor Data Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for evaluating subsurface geologic formations are limited by the time-consuming and expensive nature of core measurements, and high-resolution logging tools do not provide comprehensive evaluations of all formation properties, leading to inefficiencies in resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that integrate multi-physics, multi-sensor data processing to perform electrofacies analysis, partition image data into high-resolution depth segments, and assign non-image data logs to these segments, generating a high-resolution data log that characterizes the subsurface formation, allowing for digital rock modeling and flow simulation to determine formation properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If core measurements are used to evaluate subsurface formations, then measurement precision is improved, but time consumption and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual core by integrating multiple sensor tool data (imaging tools, resistivity tools, gamma ray tools, neutron tools) to generate a digital representation of the formation. This virtual core replaces physical core extraction and analysis, providing comprehensive formation evaluation without the time-consuming and costly core extraction process. The virtual core is constructed by merging data from multiple downhole tools to create a comprehensive digital model.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines data from multiple different sensor tools (imaging tools, resistivity tools, gamma ray tools, neutron tools) to create a comprehensive virtual core. This merging of multiple data sources provides a more complete formation evaluation than any single tool could achieve alone, while avoiding the need for physical core extraction. The integrated approach synthesizes information from different measurement types to produce comprehensive petrophysical characterization.
2Measurement precision
If core measurements are used to evaluate subsurface formations, then measurement precision is improved, but evaluation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual core by integrating multiple sensor tool data (imaging tools, resistivity tools, gamma ray tools, neutron tools) to generate a digital representation of the formation. This virtual core replaces physical core extraction and analysis, providing comprehensive formation evaluation without the time-consuming and costly core extraction process. The virtual core is constructed by merging data from multiple downhole tools to create a comprehensive digital model.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical core extraction process with a digital data integration system. Instead of physically extracting and analyzing core samples, the system uses computational methods to merge and process data from multiple sensor tools, generating a virtual core that provides equivalent or superior evaluation capabilities at lower cost.
3Measurement precision
If high-resolution logging tools are used, then image quality is improved, but comprehensive evaluation of all formation properties is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines data from multiple different sensor tools (imaging tools, resistivity tools, gamma ray tools, neutron tools) to create a comprehensive virtual core. This merging of multiple data sources provides a more complete formation evaluation than any single tool could achieve alone, while avoiding the need for physical core extraction. The integrated approach synthesizes information from different measurement types to produce comprehensive petrophysical characterization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional evaluation system that integrates multiple sensor tool types to achieve comprehensive formation characterization. The virtual core system can evaluate various formation properties (lithology, porosity, permeability, fluid saturation) using data from different tool types, making the system universally applicable to comprehensive formation evaluation rather than limited to a single property.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for characterizing a subsurface formation includes receiving image data of the subsurface formation obtained by a sensor tool and receiving a plurality of non-image data logs, each non-image data log being obtained by a different type of sensor tool. The method also includes performing an electrofacies analysis on the plurality of non-image data logs where the electrofacies analysis includes defining clusters wherein each cluster has a similar property to provide a plurality of electrofacies blocks with each electrofacies block representing a depth interval. The method further includes partitioning the image data into multiple high-resolution depth segments that share a similar property, feature, and/or pattern for each electrofacies block and assigning data from the plurality of non-image data logs into a corresponding high-resolution depth segment to provide a high-resolution data log that characterizes the subsurface formation.