Abstract: Seismic pattern recognition using an attributed relational graph matching-based fingerprint classification and identification method for identifying features of possible hydrocarbons significance in a seismic data volume (10). The seismic data are reduced to line representations (11), which are represented in a graph structure (12), having edges and vertices. Various attributes such as polarity are associated (14) with the edges and vertices, thereby creating an attributed relational graph, which is then searched for matches (16) with a selected pattern (15) considered to have hydrocarbon significance (18).

Abstract: A method for correlating predicted data describing a subsurface region with obtained data describing the subsurface region is provided. Data is obtained describing an initial state of the subsurface region. Data describing a subsequent state of the subsurface region is predicted. A likelihood measure that determines whether the predicted data is within an acceptable range of the obtained data is dynamically and/or interactively updated. The predicted data is compared with the obtained data using the likelihood measure and determining a sensitivity of the predicted data if the predicted data is not within an acceptable range of the obtained data as measured by the likelihood measure. Data describing the initial state of the subsurface region is adjusted based on the sensitivity before performing a subsequent iteration of predicting data describing the subsequent state of the subsurface region. The predicted data is outputted.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for searching and analyzing a seismic data volume acquired in a seismic survey to determine potential for hydrocarbon accumulations in an associated subsurface region. Surfaces describing the seismic data volume are obtained. The surfaces are enumerated. At least one enumerated surface is selected. The at least one selected surface is augmented when the selected surface does not substantially cover an area associated with the seismic data volume. The augmenting is performed until all selected surfaces substantially cover the area. The at least one selected surface is displayed, with geologic or geophysical data associated therewith, for visual inspection or interpretation, or saving digital representations thereof to computer memory or data storage.

Abstract: Method for representing seismic data as a spatially varying, second-order tensor field (23). The spatial relationships expressed in these tensors are exploited to link, classify, or separate neighborhoods (22); or to infer global or relational properties among them, thereby suggesting geobodies despite a noisy background. The tensors may be decomposed into their fundamentals that may either be used directly as derivative datasets or attributes, or may be used to facilitate linkage, classification, or separation of neighborhoods or analysis of linkage patterns. Decomposition may be by eigenvalues, with the eigenvalues used to define attributes called ballness, plateness and stickness (24). Alternatively, connections may be made between points in the data where the tensor has been computed, called tokens (21), based on tensor voting and polarity. Or, the connections may be based on a distance measure between tokens.

Abstract: Method for the segmentation and classification of seismic or other geophysical data. Curves or surfaces are identified in the geophysical data (10), then pairs of the curves or surfaces (12) are matched up according to a selected measure of shape similarity (13) such as the Hausdorff distance between members of a pair. The matched curves or surfaces (15) are used to define geobodies or faults in the geophysical data volume (16). The same inventive concept may also be used to warp/align (register) two different data volumes (72).

Abstract: Method for segmenting a geophysical data volume such as a seismic data volume (10) for ranking, prioritization, visualization or other analysis of subsurface structure. The method takes any initial segmentation (11) of the data volume, and progressively reduces the number of segments by pair combination (13) so that an optimal stage of combination may be determined and used for analysis (15).

Abstract: Method for transforming geologic data relating to a subsurface region between a geophysical depth domain and a geologic age domain. A set of topologically consistent surfaces (252a) is obtained that correspond to seismic data (252). The surfaces are enumerated in the depth domain. An age is assigned to each surface in the depth domain (255). The age corresponds to an estimated time of deposition of the respective surface. An age mapping volume is generated (256). An extent of the age domain is chosen. A depth mapping volume is generated (260). Both the age mapping volume and the depth mapping volume are used to transform geophysical, geologic, or engineering data or interpretations (258, 263) between the depth domain and the age domain (268) and vice versa (269). The geophysical, geologic, or engineering data or interpretations transformed by at least one of the age or depth mapping volume are outputted.

Abstract: A method of improving a geologic model of a subsurface region. One or more sets of parameter values are selected. Each parameter represents a geologic property. A cost and a gradient of the cost are obtained for each set. A geometric approximation of a parameter space defined by one or more formations is constructed. A response surface model is generated expressing the cost and gradient associated with each formation. When a finishing condition is not satisfied, at least one additional set is selected based at least in part on the response surface model associated with previously selected sets. Parts of the method are repeated using successively selected additional sets to update the approximation and the response surface model until the finishing condition is satisfied. Sets having a predetermined level of cost to a geologic model of the subsurface region and/or their associated predicted outcomes are outputted to update the geologic model.

Abstract: Method for generating a new family of seismic attributes sensitive to seismic texture that can be used for classification and grouping of seismic data into seismically similar regions. A 2D or 3D data analysis window size is selected (23), and for each of multiple positions (25) of the analysis window in the seismic data volume, the data within the window are transformed to a wavenumber domain spectrum (26). At least one attribute of the seismic data is then defined based on one or more spectral properties, and the attribute is computed (28) for each window, generating a multidimensional spectral attribute data volume (29). The attribute data volume can be used for inferring hydrocarbon potential, preferably after classifying the data volume cells based on the computed attribute, partitioning the cells into regions based on the classification, and prioritizing of the regions within a classification.

Abstract: A method for correlating predicted data describing a subsurface region with obtained data describing the subsurface region is provided. Data is obtained describing an initial state of the subsurface region. Data describing a subsequent state of the subsurface region is predicted. A likelihood measure that determines whether the predicted data is within an acceptable range of the obtained data is dynamically and/or interactively updated. The predicted data is compared with the obtained data using the likelihood measure and determining a sensitivity of the predicted data if the predicted data is not within an acceptable range of the obtained data as measured by the likelihood measure. Data describing the initial state of the subsurface region is adjusted based on the sensitivity before performing a subsequent iteration of predicting data describing the subsequent state of the subsurface region. The predicted data is outputted.

Abstract: Method for transforming geologic data relating to a subsurface region between a geophysical depth domain and a geologic age domain. A set of topologically consistent surfaces (252a) is obtained that correspond to seismic data (252). The surfaces are enumerated in the depth domain. An age is assigned to each surface in the depth domain (255). The age corresponds to an estimated time of deposition of the respective surface. An age mapping volume is generated (256). An extent of the age domain is chosen. A depth mapping volume is generated (260). Both the age mapping volume and the depth mapping volume are used to transform geophysical, geologic, or engineering data or interpretations (258, 263) between the depth domain and the age domain (268) and vice versa (269). The geophysical, geologic, or engineering data or interpretations transformed by at least one of the age or depth mapping volume are outputted.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for searching and analyzing a seismic data volume acquired in a seismic survey to determine potential for hydrocarbon accumulations in an associated subsurface region. Surfaces describing the seismic data volume are obtained. The surfaces are enumerated. At least one enumerated surface is selected. The at least one selected surface is augmented when the selected surface does not substantially cover an area associated with the seismic data volume. The augmenting is performed until all selected surfaces substantially cover the area. The at least one selected surface is displayed, with geologic or geophysical data associated therewith, for visual inspection or interpretation, or saving digital representations thereof to computer memory or data storage.

Abstract: A method of transforming geologic data relating to a subsurface region between a geophysical depth domain and a geologic age domain is disclosed. A set of topologically consistent surfaces is obtained that correspond to seismic data. The surfaces are enumerated in the depth domain. An age is assigned to each surface in the depth domain. The age corresponds to an estimated time of deposition of the respective surface. An age mapping volume is generated. An extent of the age domain is chosen. A depth mapping volume is generated. Both the age mapping volume and the depth mapping volume are used to transform geophysical, geologic, or engineering data or interpretations between the depth domain and the age domain and vice versa. The geophysical, geologic, or engineering data or interpretations transformed by at least one of the age mapping volume and the depth mapping volume are outputted.