Well logs are displayed in 3D, against a cross-section, and in a well panel, allowing reservoir and production engineers to visually verify their models.
With the ability to acquire more detailed information throughout the course of well development, reservoir and production engineers benefit when relevant well data can be combined, displayed, and analyzed to provide a more detailed understanding of well characteristics.
Typically, well log interpretation involves 2D analysis, where drilling engineers look for patterns along those dimensions. Many petrophysical software packages, however, are limited in their ability to incorporate additional data types into the analysis or present well data in context of subsurface environments. Combining well log data with other well data and presenting it in a 3D format facilitates better well data analysis and interpretation, and opens in a new windowgreater confidence in planning and operations.
EarthVision Easily Combines Relevant Well Data
opens in a new windowEarthVision—a spatial analysis and modeling software—easily integrates well logs with other relevant data associated with wellpaths, horizon tops, wellbore annotation, lithology, and labels. The software enables users to look for correlations and view the integrated well data in context of subsurface environments.
Well log files are the anchor for well data analysis. Users have the option of including up to four additional well file types in the analysis. The file types and featured data are listed below:
Files
Data
Well Log
Contains the log information associated with wells, such as:
- well name
- distance measured down the wellpath (measured depth) or XYZ coordinates of the point
- the value of the specified log at each depth
- X and Y data point coordinates
- true vertical depth sub-sea of the log value
Well Path
Contains coordinates of the well, including:
- well name
- X coordinates
- Y coordinates
- TVD (true vertical depth) or TVDSS (True Vertical Depth Subsea)
- the distance measured down the wellpath (Measured Depth)
- symbol type of well location
- color of the wellpath and symbol
Well Picks
Contains the location of intersections of the wellpaths with any horizons or faults:
- well name
- horizon top/fault name
- distance measured down the wellpath (measured depth)
- symbol type of top location
- display the dip (in degrees, 0° to 90°) of the top pick (if provided)
- compass direction of dip (0° to 360° with 0° and 360° pointing due north)
- TVDSS of the top location
Wellbore Annotations
Contains well status or completion information to show changes in either parameter over time or along the wellpath, such as:
- wellbore name
- bore annotation - production, injection, abandoned, open, closed, plug
- date completion annotation - frac stages, plugs, open/closed perfs, casing, liner info
Lithology
Contains the top and bottom depths for user-defined lithologic markers:
- well name
- distance measured down the wellpath to the top of the lithologic unit
- distance measured down the wellpath to the bottom of the lithologic unit
- name of the lithologic unit—formal name or generic rock type
- TVDSS of the top of the lithologic unit
- TVDSS of the bottom of the lithologic unit
Labels
Contains labels to be posted along a well at specific measured depths, such as:
- well name
- well label text
- distance measured down the wellpath (measured depth)
- symbol type of top location
- measure of the maximum angle of inclination (in degrees, 0° to 90°) of the top from the horizontal
- azimuth of horizon dip (0° to 360° with 0° and 360° pointing due north)
- TVDSS of the top locations of drilling events - lost circulation, POOH, core intervals
Well Panels Combine and Visualize Well Data
EarthVision combines these data to generate plots (well panels) of well log curves, with the option including horizon tops, lithology, wellbore annotations, and depth markers. Users can customize well panel display parameters to determine which data are displayed and how they are plotted—MD or TVDSS.
Well panel displays gamma-ray and resistivity logs for two wells, in addition to tops and lithology annotation.
Well Data Analysis in 3D
EarthVision also creates 3D well data displays that depict one or more well logs in 3D alongside a wellpath. Displays can be customized to use the same colors, fill patterns, and cutoffs that geoscientists use in other petrophysical software packages.
EarthVision’s ability to integrate relevant well data and display it in a 3D environment enables users to obtain greater value from the data. By collaboratively analyzing the data in context of other subsurface conditions teams can:
Identify Correlations More Easily: By viewing one 3D well log along with adjacent wells, the user can choose different orientations to see if there is directionality to any correlation. By orienting the view in one direction, the user can easily spot planar correlations such as a dipping horizon. Linear correlations like a river channel are easily seen in 3D because the user can manipulate the view in 3D to spot it. That type of correlation can’t be accomplished using 2D cross-sections.
Compare Well Logs in Near-Real-Time: A drilling engineer can quickly plot the most recent well log and compare it to an existing model, in some cases, even while drilling, due to EarthVision’s ability to quickly incorporate new data. Other data types, such as 3D seismic surveys, can also be imported and compared to the well logs.
Correlate Horizon Changes With Drilling: A drilling engineer can identify areas where the drill bit had issues (hardness/softness) and see how it correlates to horizon changes or determine if they occurred within a zone. Displaying one log, such as a caliper log, as a lathe plot shows the well as a ragged hole, allowing a user to easily compare the log to the well panel alongside it.
Reservoir and production engineers gain a far better understanding of well characteristics to aid in planning and operations when they can integrate and visualize all relevant data and analyze it in a 3D environment.
Integrate and Visualize for Better Well Data Analysis
Reservoir and production engineers gain a far better understanding of well characteristics to aid in planning and operations when they can integrate and visualize all relevant data and analyze it in a 3D environment. Correlations are easier to discover. Reservoir models are opens in a new windowmore easily verified and updated. Everyone responsible for well planning and development benefits from an integrated, visualized approach for well data analysis.
EarthVision from Dynamic Graphics, Inc., offers petroleum professionals the leading software for 3D model building, analysis, and visualization of subsurface environments and conditions. A wide range of powerful visualization tools, including integrated seismic and cellular displays simplify analysis of hydrocarbon assets, support quality control, and facilitate better well planning and operations. To learn more about EarthVision contact our team.
