Abstract: Geologic modeling methods and systems may use design-space to design-space mapping to facilitate simulation grid generation for multiple interpretations of a subsurface region. As one example, one or more embodiments of a geologic modeling method may comprise: obtaining first and second geologic models having different structural interpretations of a subsurface region; mapping each of the geologic models to associated design space models representing an unfaulted subsurface region; determining a design-to-design space mapping from the first design space model to the second design space model; using said mapping to copy parameter values from the first design space model to the second of the design space model; gridding each of the design space models to obtain design space meshes; partitioning cells in the first and second design space meshes along faults; reverse mapping the partitioned design space meshes to the physical space to obtain first and second physical space simulation meshes.

Abstract: Geologic modeling methods and systems disclosed herein employ fault face parameterization to constrain and improve the transformation of a faulted physical space geologic model into an unfaulted depositional space geologic model. An illustrative embodiment includes: associating a seismic image with each face of at least one fault in a subsurface region; determining a correspondence map between the seismic images for said at least one fault; parameterizing the faces using the correspondence map to match parameter value assignments for corresponding portions of the faces; creating a displacement map that draws together matching parameter values to align the corresponding portions of the faces; applying the displacement map to the geologic model to create a design space model; modifying the design space model; applying the displacement map in reverse to the modified design space model to obtain a modified geologic model; and outputting the modified geologic model.

Abstract: An illustrative geologic modeling method may comprise: obtaining a geologic model representing a subsurface region in physical space, the subsurface region being divided into multiple zones; sequentially generating a physical space simulation mesh for each of said multiple zones by: (a) mapping a current zone of the physical space geologic model to a current zone of a design space model representing a current zone of an unfaulted subsurface region; (b) gridding the design space model to obtain a design space mesh; (c) partitioning cells in the current zone of the design space mesh with faults mapped from the current zone of the physical space geologic model, thereby obtaining a partitioned design space mesh for the current zone; and (d) reverse mapping the partitioned design space mesh for the current zone to the physical space for the current zone.

Abstract: A method for conditioning of surface-based geological models is provided. Surface-based geological models seek to represent a portion of the subsurface while honoring the available data. However, conditioning of surface-based geological models may be challenging particularly for situations where the geologic elements, such as lobes or channels, are interspersed with another geological element, such as impermeable mud. To condition the geological model, muds are specified through a mud trend or a set of specified mud layers. For example, each mud layer provides the environment of the geological element, such as the lobe to rest on or the channel to erode into. The surface-based geological model may then be built by sequential conditioning layer by layer, such as bottom upward. In this way, the mud layers provide context in which to place objects during conditioning to better generate the surface-based geological model.

Abstract: Geologic modeling methods and systems may use design-space to design-space mapping to facilitate simulation grid generation for multiple interpretations of a subsurface region. As one example, one or more embodiments of a geologic modeling method may comprise: obtaining first and second geologic models having different structural interpretations of a subsurface region; mapping each of the geologic models to associated design space models representing an unfaulted subsurface region; determining a design-to-design space mapping from the first design space model to the second design space model; using said mapping to copy parameter values from the first design space model to the second of the design space model; gridding each of the design space models to obtain design space meshes; partitioning cells in the first and second design space meshes along faults; reverse mapping the partitioned design space meshes to the physical space to obtain first and second physical space simulation meshes.

Abstract: An illustrative geologic modeling method may comprise: obtaining a geologic model representing a subsurface region in physical space, the subsurface region being divided into multiple zones; sequentially generating a physical space simulation mesh for each of said multiple zones by: (a) mapping a current zone of the physical space geologic model to a current zone of a design space model representing a current zone of an unfaulted subsurface region; (b) gridding the design space model to obtain a design space mesh; (c) partitioning cells in the current zone of the design space mesh with faults mapped from the current zone of the physical space geologic model, thereby obtaining a partitioned design space mesh for the current zone; and (d) reverse mapping the partitioned design space mesh for the current zone to the physical space for the current zone.

Abstract: Geologic modeling methods and systems disclosed herein employ fault face parameterization to constrain and improve the transformation of a faulted physical space geologic model into an unfaulted depositional space geologic model. An illustrative embodiment includes: associating a seismic image with each face of at least one fault in a subsurface region; determining a correspondence map between the seismic images for said at least one fault; parameterizing the faces using the correspondence map to match parameter value assignments for corresponding portions of the faces; creating a displacement map that draws together matching parameter values to align the corresponding portions of the faces; applying the displacement map to the geologic model to create a design space model; modifying the design space model; applying the displacement map in reverse to the modified design space model to obtain a modified geologic model; and outputting the modified geologic model.