Next Generation 3D Imaging Models

SEG Research Committee (modeling sub-committee)

Bill AbrielLewis BartelBee BednarBiondo BiondiJoakim BlanchArthur ChengRichard DayGregory ElbringMike FehlerLeigh HouseStewart LevinMatthias ImhofNeill Simon

Cooperative Motivation

Shared numerical models have been advantageous (e.g. Marmousi, SEG 3D subsalt)

New problems worth working on are of a size and cost not likely to be born by any one organization

• 3-D AVO analysis• elastic inversion • fracture detection • prestack geometric attribute analysis• shear wave splitting• reservoir characterization• OBC acquisition, illumination, and analysis• multi-component data processing• converted wave velocity analysis and imaging• polarization filtering• Q compensation• 3-D prestack migration in rugged topography

Window of opportunity for cooperative project

ComputationalCost

Years2005 2006 2007 2008

Too expensive

3-D two-waysacoustic

3-D two-wayselastic ?

3-D one-wayelastic

2.5-D two-wayselastic

No need of cooperative project

Window of opportunity for cooperative project

ComputationalCost

Years2005 2006 2007 2008

Too expensive

3-D two-waysacoustic

3-D two-wayselastic ?

3-D one-wayelastic

2.5-D two-wayselastic

No need of cooperative project

3-D two-wayselastic

Modeling Project Evolution

• Discussions among motivated colleagues (Stanford SEP etc.) 2004

• Ad-hoc meeting at SEG 2004 Denver (including EAGE)– Biondi, Abriel, House, Bednar (and many others – names available)– Recognized rapid advancement in the past 10 years in sophistication of geophysical

problems, modeling codes, compute speed, knowledge of properties and physics– Concluded there is significant momentum for modeling project

– Recognized need for many models and many years to accomplish things in a step-wise fashion (e.g. elastic follows acoustic)

– Proposed a consortium driven by SEG research committee

• SEG research committee meeting 2005– Agrees to be project “owner”– Suggest major role for long term project manager (Bee Bednar nominated)

– Requests administrative assistance from SEG HQ

SEG executive committee meeting May 2005

Request is to become non-profit SEG “project” with cost recovery. Run by project manager, responsible to consortium members, but under SEG legal controls.

Why the SEG ??

• A Cooperative activity– Less conflicts of interest than being driven by a university or an oil company– Consistent with SEG charter to advance profession

• SEG can provide mechanism for contractual and fiscal controls

• SEG “ownership” provides evergreen intellectual interest– Catalyst for geophysical progress and collaboration– SEG can provide free data for educational purposes (donate to student

sections, utility in SEG courses) – opportunity for collaboration with AAPG/SPE in modeling geophysical

response of important geology and fluid flow

Business proposal to be developed for distribution

• Operational structure– Fees $30-$50k / yr (initial 2 yr commitment)– Data exclusive for paying members 2 years– Data can be distributed to educational and non-profit organizations with consensus of paying members– Open access after 2 years (recover copy and storage costs)– SEG fiscal and contractual controls– Project manager for planning, operations, communication and coordination

• Plans for modeling (2-5 years)– Coordinate with Delft 3D physical model (subsalt)– Expand numerical options in acquisition (Marine patch 3D, 3D VSP etc..)– Build numerous small models to grow expertise in properties (anisotropy, elastic

propagation, 4D production effects, complex stratigraphy ….)– Tests and benchmarks of modeling codes and compute resources

• Start-up planned for Fall 2005 (at or prior to SEG convention)

Operator (SEG)• Tax-free status• Legal, fiscal and

contractual controls

Executive CommitteeParticipants (voting)+SEG officerSEG Research chairEAGE advisor• Bi-annual Funding• Technical program approval• Funding approvals

Project Manager

Model design working group

Numerical modeling and software working group

Model execution (contract ?)

Data distribution and archive (contract )

Analysis working group

Start-up plan (Summer 2005)Goal: Gather momentum before and at SEG convention to secure wide support for the project (e.g. sign up 20-25 paying companies).

• Before SEG– Sign-up 6-8 Majors (Major = Major oil company and Large contractor) => Funding Members– Assemble a “model design working group” collecting model components from Funding

Members» The Model Design Group should produce a conceptual design of the geological

model before SEG.» The group should meet 2-3 times before SEG (first tentative meeting on July 12th

at CSM).– Assemble a “numerical algorithm and software” working group to identify candidate for

computations• At SEG

– Present project during already scheduled SEG Post-Convention Workshop– Involve SPE and AAPG in the process by inviting representative to SEG workshop

• After SEG– Finalize contractual and legal framework– Sign-up medium-size companies– Try to get Grid-vendors (e.g. IBM, Sun) to support project– START

Ziggy physical 3D subsalt • Numerical equivalent• With enhancements

Ziggy physical 3D subsalt • Acquisition data sets

1. 3D VSP2. Multi –azimuth3. …

Small scale properties (e.g. velocity)

Complex elastic parameters

Specific stratigraphy

1st Q 2006

2nd Q 2006

1st Q 2007 (?)

Etc…………