Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company

Exxon Production Research Company

Craig S Calvert

Thomas A Jones

Tingting Yao

Glen W Bishop

Vijay Khare

Kenneth E Dahlberg

Yuan Ma

J Lincoln Foreman

Dachang Li

Leslie A Wahrmund

Xiao-Hui Wu

Dwight C Dawson

Gregory S Benson

Deborah F Kosich

Lawrence P Walker

Yuan-zhe Ma

Keith B Sullivan

Gregory Benson

Deborah Kosich

Lawrence Walker

Yuan Z Ma

A method of forming a geologic model of a subsurface region is disclosed. Data related to the subsurface region is obtained. A framework is constructed to represent the subsurface region. A template is selected from a plurality of templates. The selected template provides at least one property that is characteristic of the subsurface region. The selected template is inserted into the framework, to form the geologic model. The geologic model is then outputted.

Forming a model of a subsurface region

The present invention is a method of generating a geologic model which incorporates a local spatial trend in rock property continuity. Initially, a candidate geologic model is generated by assigning a rock-property value to each block of a model grid. Next, local spectra which characterize the desired local spatial trend in rock property continuity are specified. These local spectra are used to frequency scale the rock-property values of the candidate geologic model. The scaled rock-property values are then combined to generate a scaled geologic model that incorporates the local spatial trend in rock property continuity.

Method for locally controlling spatial continuity in geologic models

A process for constructing a three-dimensional geologic model of a subsurface earth volume wherein resolution scales of multiple diverse data types, including seismic data, are accounted for by generating multiple frequency passband models and combining them together to form the complete geologic model. Preferably, a model is generated for each of a low-frequency passband, a mid-frequency passband, and a high-frequency passband. When integrating seismic data into the modeling process, the seismic-frequency passband constitutes the mid-frequency passband model. The process further contemplates updating tentative frequency-passband models through optimization of assigned rock property values in each tentative model according to specified geological criteria. Such optimization is carried out by perturbation of the rock property values in a manner wherein the frequency content of each model is maintained.

Method for constructing 3-D geologic models by combining multiple frequency passbands

The present invention is a method of generating a model of a random field which has directionally varying continuity. First, a tentative model for the random field is specified. Second, connected strings of nodes within the model are identified. Third, a spectral simulation on each of the strings of nodes is performed to determine updated values for the random field. Finally, the tentative model is updated with the data values from the spectral simulations.

Method of conditioning a random field to have directionally varying anisotropic continuity

A process for constructing a three-dimensional geologic model of a subsurface earth volume in which the positions of geologic interfaces within the model are adjusted as the model is being constructed. The resulting geologic model should be consistent with all available geologic and geophysical information regarding the subsurface earth volume, including information regarding the spatial attributes of geologic interfaces within said subsurface earth volume.

Process for constructing three-dimensional geologic models having adjustable geologic interfaces

A method of geophysical prospecting using seismic trace attribute analysis for formation characterization. More particularly, a method for selection of seismic traces which most accurately represent the subsurface formation in the area of a seismic survey is disclosed. In one embodiment, inflection-point interval analysis is used to account for effects of local surfaces.

Seismic attribute analysis using inflection point intervals

Method for determining formation properties from seismic attributes

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Craig S Calvert