Automatic fault extraction using artificial ants

Abstract

A novel fault extraction procedure for 3D seismic is presented. The procedure consists of three steps. The first step enhances the spatial discontinuities in the seismic data (fault attribute generation). The second step significantly improves the fault attributes by suppressing noise and remains of non-faulting events. This is achieved by the cooperative behavior of thousands of "artificial ants". The advantages with this method will be demonstrated. In particular, the faults can be split into different nonintersecting sub-systems. These sub-systems ease the extraction of fault surfaces in the third step of the process.

Developing a model discrete fracture network, drilling, and enhanced oil recovery strategy in an unconventional naturally fractured reservoir using integrated field, image log, and three-dimensional seismic data

“…Gao (2013) also suggests that the curvature gradient might help define shear fracture zones. Smith (2008) used ant tracking (Pedersen et al, 2002) to control the distribution of fracture intensity in her model. Ouenes et al (2010) employed a continuous fracture modeling approach that used lithology, structure, proximity to faults, and other geologic factors to control the location and intensity of fracturing.…”

“…The sets incorporated in Smith's (2008) model were based on open fracture orientations observed in these intervals that consisted largely of northwest hinge-oblique, hinge-parallel, and hinge-perpendicular sets distributed through Tensleep Sandstone A, Dolomite B, and the Sandstone B intervals. Smith (2008) used 3D seismic ant tracking (Pedersen et al, 2002) to control fracture intensity variations throughout her model. Core interpretations presented by Lorenz and Cooper (2004) revealed an average intensity of about 0.2 ft −1 (0.65 m −1 ) or 1 fracture per 5 ft (1.5 m).…”

“…Comparison of final migrated-stack data ( Figure 16A) to enhanced output in the depth-domain reveals that the poststack processing workflow uncovers additional structural and stratigraphic details ( Figure 16B). The workflow incorporates ant tracking (Pedersen et al, 2002) to extract discontinuities from the depth-converted seismic data. Extracted discontinuities ( Figure 17) usually form zones with widths of approximately 220 feet (67 m) (twice the trace spacing), and their lengths vary from 200 m (656 ft) to over 1000 m (3281 ft) (across roughly 6-30 traces, respectively).…”

Mapping and time-lapse analysis of South Arne Chalk fault network using new developments in seismic dip computation

“…The edge-enhancement process we used is called Ant-Tracking (Pedersen et al 2002). It enables the user to filter the observed seismic lineaments by their dip magnitude and azimuth and to separate them into consistently oriented sets for individual analysis.…”

“…For instance, lax settings of the edgeenhancement process could create unrealistic and, therefore, undesired connections between edges. The edge-enhancement process Ant-Tracking (Pedersen et al 2002) was run on each edge attribute to extract spatially connected seismic edges. By definition, the Ant-Tracking output range is between 21.0 and 1.0, where 21.0 indicates the absence of edges in the seismic volume; progressively greater values correspond to increasingly stronger connected seismic edges.…”