Landmark Graphics Corporation

Yikuo Liu

Graham Baines

Daniel James Possee

In contrast to existing methods wherein derived horizons are interpreted in isolation, the disclosure provides a process that does not interpret patches themselves but determines the relationships between patches, in order to associate and link patches to derive a holistic geological interpretation. Predefined patches, such as from a pre-interpreted suite, are received as inputs to determine the relationships and derive an interpretation for a complete volume. In one aspect the disclosure provides an automated method of generating a geological age model for a subterranean area. In one example, the automated method includes: (1) abstracting seismic data of a subsurface into a limited number of patches, (2) abstracting the patches by defining patch-links between the patches, and (3) generating a geological age model of the subsurface by solving for the relative geological age of each of the patches using the patch-links.

Method for generating a geological age model from incomplete horizon interpretations

A least one seismic attribute is determined for each voxel of the seismic volume. A first horizon is selected for mapping and a sparse global grid is generated which includes the horizon, at least one constraint point identifying the horizon, and a number of points having a depth in the seismic volume. A value of at least one seismic attribute is determined for each point and their depths are adjusted based on the value of the seismic attribute. A map of the horizon can be generated based on the adjusted depths. Multiple local grids can be generated based on the sparse global grid, and the depths of the local grid points adjusted to generate a map of the horizon at voxel level resolution. The seismic volume can be mapped into multiple horizons, where previously mapped horizons can function as constraints on the sparse global grid.

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Reading, United Kingdom

Yikuo Liu