Abstract: Systems and methods which utilize functional objects in connectivity analysis are shown. Functional objects may be denoted by a geological feature, a user-defined location, a critical point in a connection network, a region within a 3D volume, etc. Each functional object preferably possesses and/or has associated therewith an ability to obtain information such as relevant connection pathways, linked regions of interest, statistical connection information, etc. Such functional objects may have dynamic regions associated therewith, such as to define an area of uncertainty, for facilitating exploring connectivity. Desired connectivity information can be revealed interactively from within a confusing web of connection pathways through use of the functional objects. Through interactive manipulation of functional objects analysis may be refined or revised. Additionally or alternatively, logical operations may be applied with respect to one or more functional objects to extend or reduce the connectivity of interest.

Abstract: Method for determining one or more optimal well trajectories and a drill center location for hydrocarbon production. A well path and drill center optimization problem (55) is solved in which one constraint is that a well trajectory must intersect a finite size target region (61) in each formation of interest, or in different parts of the same formation. The finite target size provides flexibility for the optimization problem to arrive at a more advantageous solution. Typical well path optimization constraints are also applied, such as anti-collision constraints and surface site constraints (62).

Abstract: A method of creating a visual display based on a plurality of data sources is provided. An exemplary embodiment of the method comprises extracting a set of extracted data from the plurality of data sources and processing at least a portion of the extracted data with a set of knowledge agents according to specific criteria to create at least one data assemblage. The exemplary method also comprises providing an integrated two-dimensional/three-dimensional (2D/3D) visual display in which at least one 2D element of the at least one data assemblage is integrated into a 3D visual representation using a mapping identifier and a criteria identifier.

Abstract: A method of planning a drilling operation IS provided that comprises selecting a set of targeted regions based on data from a three-dimensional shared earth model and generating at least one targeted segment within each one of the set of targeted regions The method further comprises defining at least one application agent for the purpose of evaluating the at least one targeted segment within each one of the set of targeted regions based on a potential payout in terms of production of hydrocarbons The exemplary method additionally comprises identifying at least one well trajectory through the at least one targeted segment within each one of the set of targeted regions And the method comprises employing the at least one application agent to evaluate well trajectories based on the potential payout in terms of at least one of production of hydrocarbons, drilling complexity, cost or stability of well planning.

Abstract: Method for determining one or more optimal well trajectories and a drill center location for hydrocarbon production. A well path and drill center optimization problem (55) is solved in which one constraint is that a well trajectory must intersect a finite size target region (61) in each formation of interest, or in different parts of the same formation. The finite target size provides flexibility for the optimization problem to arrive at a more advantageous solution. Typical well path optimization constraints are also applied, such as anti-collision constraints and surface site constraints (62).

Abstract: A method of planning a drilling operation IS provided that comprises selecting a set of targeted regions based on data from a three-dimensional shared earth model and generating at least one targeted segment within each one of the set of targeted regions The method further comprises defining at least one application agent for the purpose of evaluating the at least one targeted segment within each one of the set of targeted regions based on a potential payout in terms of production of hydrocarbons The exemplary method additionally comprises identifying at least one well trajectory through the at least one targeted segment within each one of the set of targeted regions And the method comprises employing the at least one application agent to evaluate well trajectories based on the potential payout in terms of at least one of production of hydrocarbons, drilling complexity, cost or stability of well planning

Abstract: Systems and methods which utilize functional objects in connectivity analysis are shown. Functional objects may be denoted by a geological feature, a user-defined location, a critical point in a connection network, a region within a 3D volume, etc. Each functional object preferably possesses and/or has associated therewith an ability to obtain information such as relevant connection pathways, linked regions of interest, statistical connection information, etc. Such functional objects may have dynamic regions associated therewith, such as to define an area of uncertainty, for facilitating exploring connectivity. Desired connectivity information can be revealed interactively from within a confusing web of connection pathways through use of the functional objects. Through interactive manipulation of functional objects analysis may be refined or revised. Additionally or alternatively, logical operations may be applied with respect to one or more functional objects to extend or reduce the connectivity of interest.

Abstract: A method of creating a visual display based on a plurality of data sources is provided. An exemplary embodiment of the method comprises extracting a set of extracted data from the plurality of data sources and processing at least a portion of the extracted data with a set of knowledge agents according to specific criteria to create at least one data assemblage. The exemplary method also comprises providing an integrated two-dimensional/three-dimensional (2D/3D) visual display in which at least one 2D element of the at least one data assemblage is integrated into a 3D visual representation using a mapping identifier and a criteria identifier.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that may be utilized to make completion design an integral part of the well planning process by enabling the rapid evaluation of completion performance. This integration may include an earth model and may specify wellpath parameters, completion parameters, and other parameters in a simulation of operations using the earth model. The simulation generates well performance measures, which may be optimized depending on well performance technical limits. The optimization may be used to maximize an objective function. The system may include multiple users at the same or different locations (e.g. over a network) interacting through graphic user interfaces (GUI's).

Abstract: A method to extract fault surfaces from seismic data (1,3) is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) generating at least two fault sticks (5) from the same fault from at least two slices of the seismic data wherein each slice comprises at least one fault stick from the same fault, (b) constructing an initial three-dimensional fault surface (7) containing the fault sticks, and (c) reconstructing the initial fault surface (9) using a deformable surface model to fit discontinuity or coherency information in the seismic data in an iterative process. Techniques are disclosed for constructing the initial fault surface from interpreter-provided fault nodes, and for performing the deformable surface iteration by defining an energy function for the fault surface and then minimizing the surface energy.

Abstract: A method for processing data sets is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises; (a) defining at least two primary region constraints in the data sets by creating a corresponding constraint data set, (b) combining at least two primary region constraints using gated-logic expressions to create derived regions, (c) creating mapping functions from the gated-logic expressions of the derived regions, and (d) displaying desired derived regions through manipulation of the mapping functions. This method is preferably computer implemented and permits processing of multiple constraints in large data sets (such as, three-dimensional seismic or discontinuity data).

Abstract: A method for processing data sets is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises; (a) defining at least two primary region constraints in the data sets by creating a corresponding constraint data set, (b) combining at least two primary region constraints using gated-logic expressions to create derived regions, (c) creating mapping functions from the gated-logic expressions of the derived regions, and (d) displaying desired derived regions through manipulation of the mapping functions. This method is preferably computer implemented and permits processing of multiple constraints in large data sets (such as, three-dimensional seismic or discontinuity data).