Virtual Core Generation for Subterranean Formation Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for obtaining detailed subterranean formation data, such as whole core analysis, are limited by cost and time constraints, and sidewall core sampling provides a more limited understanding of the subterranean environment due to its discrete and shorter nature.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for generating a digital core construction by acquiring data for a region of interest, determining rock type, selecting appropriate modules, generating a wellbore image using an interpolator, and characterizing the core using a quantifier, which integrates various wellbore data types to describe subterranean formation properties, effectively creating a virtual core similar to conventional whole core analysis without physical sampling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional whole core analysis is used, then detailed subterranean formation data is obtained, but cost and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual core as a digital copy that replicates the information content of physical whole core analysis. By using imaging tools to capture wellbore wall data and processing it through computational algorithms, the system generates a digital representation that provides equivalent formation characterization without requiring physical core extraction and laboratory analysis, thereby eliminating time delays while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of physical coring and laboratory analysis with an electronic/imaging-based system. Imaging tools capture electrical, acoustic, or optical signals from the wellbore wall, which are then processed computationally to generate formation property data. This substitution of mechanical methods with electronic measurement and computational processing significantly reduces the time required while maintaining data quality
2Loss of time
If sidewall core sampling is used, then time is reduced, but understanding of subterranean environment is more limited due to discrete and shorter nature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous imaging of the wellbore wall as the tool moves through the formation, capturing data along the entire wellbore trajectory rather than at discrete sampling points. This continuous data acquisition provides uninterrupted coverage of formation properties, enabling comprehensive understanding of the subterranean environment while maintaining rapid processing speeds that preserve time efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional discrete core samples to two-dimensional continuous wellbore wall imaging data. By capturing images that encompass the circumferential surface of the wellbore wall and processing them to reveal formation structures, the system adds a spatial dimension to the data, providing more complete environmental understanding while maintaining operational efficiency
3Measurement precision
If conventional whole core sampling is used, then comprehensive formation properties are obtained, but the interval length is limited by physical constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual core creates a digital replica that can represent arbitrarily long intervals of the wellbore,不受物理核心长度的限制。通过连续成像和数据处理，系统能够生成覆盖整个井眼轨迹的数字核心，提供不间断的形成特性分析，从而在保持测量精度的同时显著增加数据分析的区间长度
Data Source
AI summary
Generating a virtual core includes obtaining acquired data for a region of interest, determining a rock type of the region of interest, obtaining a selection of modules based on the rock type, and generating, using the acquired data and an interpolator from the modules, a wellbore image of the region of interest. The interpolator generates interpolated data between data points among the acquired data in the wellbore image. Further, using a quantifier from the plurality of modules, a core characterization of the region of interest is determined. The core characterization describes an integration of wellbore data types. Using the core characterization and the wellbore image, a digital core construction of the region of interest is generated. The digital core construction describes subterranean formation properties of the region of interest.