Sketch-based interface and modelling of stratigraphy and structure in three dimensions

Abstract

Geological modelling is widely used to predict resource potential in subsurface reservoirs. However, modelling is often slow, requires use of mathematical methods that are unfamiliar to many geoscientists and is implemented in expert software. We demonstrate here an alternative approach using Sketch-Based Interface and Modelling (SBIM) that allows rapid creation of complex three-dimensional (3D) models from 2D sketches. Sketches, either on vertical cross-sections or in map-view, are converted to 3D surfaces that outline geological interpretations. A suite of geological operators is proposed that handle interactions between the surfaces to form a geologically realistic 3D model. These operators deliver the flexibility to sketch a geological model in any order and provide an intuitive framework for geoscientists to rapidly create 3D models. Two case studies are presented, demonstrating scenarios in which different approaches to model sketching are used depending on the geological setting and available data. These case studies show the strengths of sketching with geological operators. Sketched 3D models can be queried visually or quantitatively to provide insights into heterogeneity distribution, facies connectivity or dynamic model behaviour; this information cannot be obtained by sketching in 2D or on paper.Supplementary material:https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5303043

Rapid Flow Diagnostics for Prototyping of Reservoir Concepts and Models for Subsurface Co2 Storage

“…As outlined above, sketch-based modelling of geology and geological heterogeneity uses a surface-based representation (Jackson et al, 2014(Jackson et al, , 2015aJacquemyn et al, 2021b). Therefore, our models comprise only surfaces (e.g., stratigraphic or structural) that bound geological domains with associated petrophysical properties.…”

“…We investigate the impact on flow behaviour and CO 2 storage of geological uncertainty in the stratigraphic architecture of wave-to tide-dominated shallow marine sandstone tongues in the Blackhawk Formation, which are exposed in the Book Cliffs, USA and are analogous to potential CO 2 storage units in the subsurface. Geological models were previously sketched in RRM by Jacquemyn et al (2021b) to represent different geological scenarios interpreted between five outcrop sections and boreholes (cf. wells).…”

“…The underlying facies and their petrophysical properties are listed in Table 3. The differences between the scenarios used are summarised below and discussed in detail in Jacquemyn et al (2021b).…”

“…Natali et al (2014) created geological models by sketching stratigraphic layers according to their depositional and erosional history. Recently, Jacquemyn et al (2021b) successfully applied SBIM to build 3D geological models of complex stratigraphy and structure and demonstrated that the SBIM approach is particularly well-suited to explore a range of geological interpretations and concepts, all of which honour available input data, in a few hours rather than days or weeks. Their work documents an efficient reservoir model prototyping approach (Jackson et al, 2015a) for building realistic representations of subsurface heterogeneity, where different geological concepts and scenarios can be sketched in minutes.…”

“…Such representation is geologically intuitive, because the components and processes of model construction are similar to those applied when defining and conceptualising geological relationships in maps, cross-sections and block diagrams. SBIM is used here to create the surfaces produced in SBGM, using specific surface-surface operators to ensure that the interactions between sketched surfaces produce geologically valid models (Jacquemyn et al, 2021b). The surfaces bound geological domains that have similar characteristics at any given scale.…”