| Time Savings in Recon | |
| Problem Statement | |
| In today’s dynamic exploration and production environment, geoscientists are increasingly called upon to accelerate their interpretation workflows to accommodate a steady stream of real time information. Interpretations need to be updated to take into account this new data, which often proves to be a daunting task to asset teams burdened with traditional computer interpretation software.
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Geological interpretation is a very creative, non-linear process which is not easily automated. Nevertheless, Recon has introduced an innovative way to bring ‘automation’ to the subsurface geology domain using a real time update system called Cascade Technology™. Discussed below are four example features of Recon that help its users to complete critical interpretation workflows in a fraction of the time required using traditional, 2-D computer tools. |
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| Automatic Porosity Map Updates in Real Time | |
A finished porosity or net reservoir thickness map is the end-result of an interpretation cycle combining all available reservoir data into a crucial product required for exploration and production decisions. During decision time, nothing is more frustrating to a geoscientist than the need for changes to be applied to this end-result due to the availability of new data or interpretations. Recon’s Cascade Technology™ was specifically designed for the purpose of addressing this problem. |
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What type of data influences the final net reservoir map used for drilling decisions? The graphic below shows the dependency tree leading to the final map. If any of the preceding parameters are changed, the attribute distribution map is invalidated. |
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In the past, this has required interpreters to execute lengthy processes repeating all tasks required to recreate the final map. In traditional interpretation applications, this can be done manually or through script-operations. Recon has introduced a next-generation approach by allowing an interpreter to change any of the upstream parameters and see the end-results displayed in real time. All dependent processes are executed in the background using Cascade Technology™ without any need for user interaction. Recon’s automated processes free up time for the interpreter to focus on improving the geological interpretation, leading to more accurate results. |
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For example, if an interpreter has displayed a porosity map in Recon’s basemap, this map can be changed simply by dragging and dropping a pick in Recon’s 2-D correlation view. As soon as the new interpretation has been made, Recon takes care of all of the required operations necessary to update the porosity distribution in the basemap. In this case, Recon will automatically: |
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Throughout the automatic update process, Recon’s Cascade Technology™ keeps track of conformable relationships between all horizons and reapplies any defined stratigraphic datums before returning. |
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| Seismic Redatuming during Stratigraphic Interpretation | |
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Users can access 3-D seismic data directly from SeisWorks in Recon without the need for time-consuming import of large datafiles. After pointing to a SeisWorks project, an interpreter just needs to create a well-to-well or arbitrary cross-section and toggle on the seismic backdrop to display seismic along 3-D or 2-D lines of section. To interpret directly on the seismic backdrop between wells, the user needs to switch to distance spacing in the 2-D correlation view and use Recon’s inter-well picking mode to drag-and-drop picks for a seismic horizon.
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Recon’s 2-D correlation view can datum any seismic cross-section based on any 3-D horizon. This stratigraphic datum mode is very useful when interpreting subtle stratigraphic traps. Using Recon’s Cascade Technology™, an interpreter can drag-and-drop picks for a datum horizon and see the seismic cross-section shift in real time. |
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| Basemap Roaming | |
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Recon’s ability to load an unlimited number of wells to be displayed in the basemap does not force the user to map horizons over the entire project area. An interpreter can easily resize the project area-of-interest (AOI) in the basemap, after which Recon will automatically redisplay the requested map using the same mapping parameters (e.g. a porosity map for a particular zone) specified by the user. Real time roaming through the basemap is accomplished by simply clicking and dragging a new AOI rectangle.
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A unique advantage of this feature is to enable the merging of both regional scale well log and seismic data with detailed field-level data in a single Recon project. This ensures that interpretations are kept consistent between regional and local scales, providing for a more accurate geological framework. Recon’s basemap roaming is an example of its scalable applicability ranging from small, early stage exploration projects through large, mature development projects. |
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| Interactive Line-of Section Editing | |
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Geological interpretation can become especially challenging when dealing with highly deviated and horizontal well logs. Recon’s 3-D geological interpretation workflows are aided by its linked 2-D correlation views. To bridge the spatial differences between these 2-D representations and the 3-D world, Recon allows the interpreter to change lines-of-section in the basemap in real time and to observe the immediate reprojection of these wells in the 2-D cross-section view. Apart from changing the line-of-section in real time, the interpreter can also change which wells are projected into the line-of-section. Clicking on the wells in the basemap will add or subtract projected wells from the 2-D correlation view. |
The direct link between the 2-D and 3-D interpretation views helps geoscientists more quickly determine the optimal geological interpretation. |
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| Conclusion | |
These are some of the advantages of Recon’s 3-D architecture powered by its unique Cascade Technology™, providing geological interpreters with the latest real time interpretation workflows. |
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| About AGM |
AGM specializes in developing next-generation 3-D geological interpretation software deployable on a wide range of computing hardware, from low-cost desktop workstations to large-scale immersive visualization centers. Visit the company's website at www.austingeo.com. |
