Published as SEG Expanded Abstracts, 1939-1944, (2017)

Well log interpolation guided by geologic distance

Yunzhi Shi, Xinming Wu, and Sergey Fomel, The University of Texas at Austin

Abstract:

Seismic reflection images can be used to interpolate rock properties between well logs. However, geologic faults may introduce discontinuities that interfere with the interpolation. We propose a modification of an image guided well log interpolation method that incorporates geologic structures including faults and unconformities. We first use predictive painting to spread the lithological information along seismic images from well locations. Then we measure the geologic distance following seismic horizons, and modify the distance across faults during interpolation based on fault attribute measurements. After that, painting interpolation not only honors the seismic horizon structures, but also gets constrained at faults while still remaining effective within the range of conforming regions. Both synthetic and field data examples show a significant improvement in robustness of predictive painting interpolation in complex subsurface structure around fault location.