Chevron U.s.a. Inc.

Fabien J Laugier

Tao Sun

Ashley D Harris

Brett M Hern

Alicia Downard

Maisha Lara Amaru

Morgan David Sullivan

Brian J Willis

Robert Chadwick Holmes

Lewis Li

Simulated wells may be selected from a subsurface representation to serve as representation of the corresponding simulated subsurface region. Spatial coverage of a simulated well for the simulated subsurface region may be determined based on extent of similarity between the simulated well and other simulated wells in the subsurface representation. The simulated wells may be selected to achieve desired spatial coverage for the simulated subsurface region and to achieve desired representation of properties of interest for the simulated subsurface region.

Determination of representative wells to characterize subsurface regions

Well information may define subsurface configuration of different wells. Marker information defining marker positions within the wells may be obtained. A dissimilarity matrix for the wells may generated, with the element values of the dissimilarity matrix determined based on comparison of corresponding subsurface configuration of the wells. A gated dissimilarity matrix may be generated from the dissimilarity matrix based on the marker positions within the wells. The elements values of the gated dissimilarity matrix corresponding to one set of marker positions and not corresponding to the other set of marker positions may be changed. Correlation between the wells may be determined based on the gated dissimilarity matrix such that correlation exists between a marker position in one well and a marker position in another well.

Comparison of wells using a dissimilarity matrix

2D slices/images may be extracted from a three-dimensional volume of subsurface data. Image comparison analysis across sequential 2D slices/images may identify boundaries within the corresponding subsurface region, such as changes in style of deposition or reservoir property distribution. Identification of temporal/spatial boundaries in the subsurface region where subsurface properties change may facilitate greater understanding of the scales and controls on heterogeneity, and connectivity between different locations.

Image-comparison based analysis of subsurface representations

A subsurface representation may define simulated subsurface configuration of a simulated subsurface region. The simulated subsurface region may include simulated wells, and the simulated subsurface configuration may define simulated correlation between the simulated wells. Subsurface configuration of wells may be compared with the simulated subsurface configuration to generate similarity maps for the wells. Simulated wells may be matched to the wells based on the similarity maps and the arrangement of the wells. Correlation between the wells may be determined based on the simulated correlation between the matched simulated wells.

Correlation of multiple wells using subsurface representation

Correlation matrices may be used to simultaneously correlate multiple wells. A correlation matrix may be generated for individual pairs of multiple wells. The values of elements of the correlation matrices may be determined based on matching between segments of the multiple wells and segments of one or more computational stratigraphic models. An N-dimensional space including an axis for individual wells may be generated. Directed walk may be performed within the N-dimensional space to generate paths representing scenarios of correlations for segments of the multiple wells.

Correlation matrix for simultaneously correlating multiple wells

Unsegmented continuous subsurface data may be analyzed using one or more moving windows to characterize a subsurface region. Unsegmented continuous subsurface data may be scanned using the moving window(s). Probabilities that portions of the subsurface region include a subsurface feature may be determined based on analysis of the portions of the unsegmented continuous subsurface data within the moving window(s).

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Fabien J Laugier