Abstract: In an example method, one or more processors receive a plurality of rock fragment images. Each of the rock fragment images represents respective rock fragments obtained from a subsurface formation during well bore drilling. The one or more processors select one or more portions of the rock fragment images, and generate a geological formation image based on the one or more selected portions of the rock fragment images. The geological formation image is indicative of one or more geological characteristics of the subsurface formation along the well bore.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting seepage of hydrocarbons in subterranean zones. In one aspect, a method includes detecting hydrocarbon seepage at multiple different sampling depths from a surface in a surveyed geographic region, comparing each of the hydrocarbon seepage at the multiple different sampling depths, wherein hydrocarbon seepage at a reference depth is known, and determining hydrocarbon seepage through the surveyed geographic region based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A method for using genomic data to locate a reservoir is provided. The method includes collecting samples in a field over a reservoir. A genomic analysis is performed on the samples to obtain genomic data. The genomic data is clustered to classify sequences of microbial communities associated with using hydrocarbons for energy. The genomic data is used in an artificial intelligence model to identify a drilling site for hydrocarbon production.

Abstract: In an example method, one or more processors receive a plurality of rock fragment images. Each of the rock fragment images represents respective rock fragments obtained from a subsurface formation during well bore drilling. The one or more processors select one or more portions of the rock fragment images, and generate a geological formation image based on the one or more selected portions of the rock fragment images. The geological formation image is indicative of one or more geological characteristics of the subsurface formation along the well bore.

Abstract: System and methods for heating boreholes include laser generators to trigger a chemical reaction to break down heavy hydrocarbons in boreholes. The systems and methods use arrays of laser generators or other heating sources at the borehole surface or within the borehole to heat the heavy hydrocarbons. The systems and methods may include hydrocarbon sensors within the borehole to detect gas seepage resulting from heating of the heavy hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting seepage of hydrocarbons in subterranean zones. In one aspect, a method includes detecting hydrocarbon seepage at multiple different sampling depths from a surface in a surveyed geographic region, comparing each of the hydrocarbon seepage at the multiple different sampling depths, wherein hydrocarbon seepage at a reference depth is known, and determining hydrocarbon seepage through the surveyed geographic region based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: System and methods for heating boreholes include laser generators to trigger a chemical reaction to break down heavy hydrocarbons in boreholes. The systems and methods use arrays of laser generators or other heating sources at the borehole surface or within the borehole to heat the heavy hydrocarbons. The systems and methods may include hydrocarbon sensors within the borehole to detect gas seepage resulting from heating of the heavy hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and systems for characterizing depositional features. The methods and systems include accessing data encoding seismic waves as seismic traces reflected from cells at various locations within a particular stratum in response to a seismic source. The cells are classified into multiple non-overlapping groups according to the amplitude values or other seismic attributes of the seismic waves reflected from the various locations within the particular stratum. One or more subgroups of adjacent cells are identified. A subgroup area metric is calculated for each subgroup of cells by combining individual area metrics from adjacent cells in a given subgroup and subsequently assigning the calculated subgroup area metric to each cell of the given subgroup. One or more depositional features within the stratum are characterized based at least in part on the variation map based on the subgroup area metric of each cell.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting seepage of hydrocarbons in subterranean zones. In one aspect, a method includes detecting hydrocarbon seepage at multiple different sampling depths from a surface in a surveyed geographic region, comparing each of the hydrocarbon seepage at the multiple different sampling depths, wherein hydrocarbon seepage at a reference depth is known, and determining hydrocarbon seepage through the surveyed geographic region based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting seepage of hydrocarbons in subterranean zones. In one aspect, a method includes detecting hydrocarbon seepage at multiple different sampling depths from a surface in a surveyed geographic region, comparing each of the hydrocarbon seepage at the multiple different sampling depths, wherein hydrocarbon seepage at a reference depth is known, and determining hydrocarbon seepage through the surveyed geographic region based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting seepage of hydrocarbons in subterranean zones. In one aspect, a method includes detecting hydrocarbon seepage at multiple different sampling depths from a surface in a surveyed geographic region, comparing each of the hydrocarbon seepage at the multiple different sampling depths, wherein hydrocarbon seepage at a reference depth is known, and determining hydrocarbon seepage through the surveyed geographic region based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A global objective function is initialized to an initial value. A particular model simulation process is executed using prepared input data. A mismatch value is computed by using a local function to compare an output of the particular model simulation process to corresponding input data for the particular model simulation process. Model objects associated with the particular model simulation process are sent to another model simulation process. An optimization process is executed to predict new values for input data to reduce the computed mismatch value.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and systems for characterizing depositional features. The methods and systems include accessing data encoding seismic waves as seismic traces reflected from cells at various locations within a particular stratum in response to a seismic source. The cells are classified into multiple non-overlapping groups according to the amplitude values or other seismic attributes of the seismic waves reflected from the various locations within the particular stratum. One or more subgroups of adjacent cells are identified. A subgroup area metric is calculated for each subgroup of cells by combining individual area metrics from adjacent cells in a given subgroup and subsequently assigning the calculated subgroup area metric to each cell of the given subgroup. One or more depositional features within the stratum are characterized based at least in part on the variation map based on the subgroup area metric of each cell.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting seepage of hydrocarbons in subterranean zones. In one aspect, a method includes detecting hydrocarbon seepage at multiple different sampling depths from a surface in a surveyed geographic region, comparing each of the hydrocarbon seepage at the multiple different sampling depths, wherein hydrocarbon seepage at a reference depth is known, and determining hydrocarbon seepage through the surveyed geographic region based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting seepage of hydrocarbons in subterranean zones. In one aspect, a method includes detecting hydrocarbon seepage at multiple different sampling depths from a surface in a surveyed geographic region, comparing each of the hydrocarbon seepage at the multiple different sampling depths, wherein hydrocarbon seepage at a reference depth is known, and determining hydrocarbon seepage through the surveyed geographic region based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting seepage of hydrocarbons in subterranean zones. In one aspect, a method includes detecting hydrocarbon seepage at multiple different sampling depths from a surface in a surveyed geographic region, comparing each of the hydrocarbon seepage at the multiple different sampling depths, wherein hydrocarbon seepage at a reference depth is known, and determining hydrocarbon seepage through the surveyed geographic region based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting seepage of hydrocarbons in subterranean zones. In one aspect, a method includes detecting hydrocarbon seepage at multiple different sampling depths from a surface in a surveyed geographic region, comparing each of the hydrocarbon seepage at the multiple different sampling depths, wherein hydrocarbon seepage at a reference depth is known, and determining hydrocarbon seepage through the surveyed geographic region based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A global objective function is initialized to an initial value. A particular model simulation process is executed using prepared input data. A mismatch value is computed by using a local function to compare an output of the particular model simulation process to corresponding input data for the particular model simulation process. Model objects associated with the particular model simulation process are sent to another model simulation process. An optimization process is executed to predict new values for input data to reduce the computed mismatch value.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting seepage of hydrocarbons in subterranean zones. In one aspect, a method includes detecting hydrocarbon seepage at multiple different sampling depths from a surface in a surveyed geographic region, comparing each of the hydrocarbon seepage at the multiple different sampling depths, wherein hydrocarbon seepage at a reference depth is known, and determining hydrocarbon seepage through the surveyed geographic region based on a result of the comparison.