Data-Centric, Interactive Deep Learning for Complex Geological Features
Data-Centric, Interactive Deep Learning for Complex Geological Features: A Groningen Case Study
Scotty Salamoff, Julian Chenin, Benjamin Lartigue, and Paul Endresen
INTRODUCTION
Detailed interpretation of complex facies intervals within high-resolution 3D seismic data is a tedious and time-consuming process, even with the assistance of traditional deep learning methods. Traditional windowed waveform classification algorithms can have a non-unique solution and are impacted heavily by interpreter bias and laterally varying data quality. This is especially the case in deformed facies intervals such as post-depositional deformation of complex geological sequences, where tectonic reactivation and/or salt tectonism have re-worked sequences of post-salt siliciclastics into complicated packages that are difficult to interpret. These heavily re-worked zones subjected to erosion and re-deposition of growth sequences are prolific throughout the North Sea and can play an important role in fluid migration and containment. The sediments within the sequence of interest are post-depositional to original salt deposition and syn-depositional to halokinesis. Their complexity usually means such sequences are under-interpreted, which introduces pre-drill uncertainties about the well path or target itself (Tang et. al. 2012).
Therefore, we propose a new, data-centric, and interactive deep learning methodology using InteractivAI, which leverages neural networks to accurately yet quickly predict separate deformed facies in the Groningen study area. The results presented below were obtained in a fraction of the time compared to traditional interpretation workflows and allow geoscientists to better characterize complex geologic units while also determining potential impacts on prospective petroleum systems or planned well paths.
GEOLOGIC BACKGROUND
The Groningen study area is located onshore The Netherlands (Figure 1a). The gas reservoir area is characterized by a classic four-way closure with salt providing a competent regional top seal and lateral stratigraphic pinch-outs providing closure. Regional geometry is shaped by North Sea extensional/reactivation tectonics and local structure controlled by salt movement. The Upper Rotliegend Group was deposited during the Permian in a broad basin and is locally comprised of the entire sequence above the Base Permian Unconformity (BPU) and below the overlying Zechstein Formation (Figure 1b) (Boogaert 1976). As the trend is followed eastward, an older Lower Rotliegend Group sequence made up of volcaniclastic sediments is also present in extensional-fault-bounded grabens.