Geologic models of subsurface sedimentary volumes

US7925481B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• John C. Van Wagoner · Houston, US
• Paul A. Dunn · Houston, US
• Max Deffenbaugh · Brookshire, US
• David N. Awwiller · Houston, US
• Tao Sun · Nanjing, CN
• Dachang Li · Katy, US
• David Hoyal · Houston, US
• Chris J. Donofrio · Diemelstraße, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 19, 2005
• Grant date: Apr 12, 2011
• Expiry date: May 23, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01V2210/661
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method is disclosed for using a three-dimensional seismic image of a subsurface earth volume to construct a geologic model specifying the spatially-varying grain size distribution, porosity, and permeability throughout the volume. The method applies to earth volumes composed of water-lain clastic sedimentary deposits and involves, in one embodiment, (a) identifying the outline forms of geologic bodies in geologic data; (b) using the outline forms of the geologic bodies to determine the spatially-varying grain size distribution within the bodies, guided by assumptions about the nature and behavior of the paleoflow that deposited the bodies; (c) determining rock properties such as, porosity and permeability within the geologic bodies based on grain-size distribution, mineralogy and burial history information.