Systems and Methods for Computing and Validating a Variogram Model

• US 20100121622A1
• Filed: 10/26/2009
• Published: 05/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Shi, Genbao, Chambers, Richard L., Yarus, Jeffrey M.
• Application Number:
  US12/605,945
• Publication Number:
  US 20100121622A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 703/2
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 11/00 Prospecting or detecting by methods combining techniques covered by two or more of main groups G01V1/00 - G01V9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 2210/641 Continuity of geobodies
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 2210/665 using geostatistical modeling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/18 for evaluating statistical data , e.g. average values, frequency distributions, probability functions, regression analysis forecasting specially adapted for a specific administrative, business or logistic context G06Q10/04

Abstract

Systems and methods for computing a variogram model, which utilize a variogram map and a rose diagram to compute the variogram model. The variogram model may be validated in real-time to provide immediate feedback without the need to interpolate or simulate the real data.

Claims

1. A method for validating a variogram model, which comprises:

selecting variogram modeling parameters for the variogram model;

performing an unconditional simulation or a geostatistical interpolation on a computer system;

rendering an image of simulated values or interpolated values;

displaying the image of simulated values or interpolated values; and

determining if the image validates the variogram model.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

selecting input data; and

performing the unconditional simulation or the geostatistical interpolation based on a property for the selected input data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the unconditional simulation is performed using values selected from a normal distribution and the variogram modeling parameters.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the geostatistical interpolation is performed using predetermined data points and the variogram modeling parameters.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

adjusting the variogram modeling parameters; and

performing another unconditional simulation using values selected from a normal distribution and the adjusted variogram modeling parameters.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

adjusting the variogram modeling parameters; and

performing another geostatistical interpolation using predetermined data points and the adjusted variogram modeling parameters.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

displaying another image of simulated values while adjusting the variogram modeling parameters and performing the another unconditional simulation;

determining if the another image validates the variogram model; and

repeating the steps of displaying another image of simulated values and determining if the another image validates the variogram model until the another image validates the variogram model.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

displaying another image of interpolated values while adjusting the variogram modeling parameters and performing the another geostatistical interpolation;

determining if the another image validates the variogram model; and

repeating the steps of displaying another image of interpolated values and determining if the another image validates the variogram model until the another image validates the variogram model.

9. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

performing a geostatistical conditional simulation or another geostatistical interpolation using the selected input data and the variogram modeling parameters; and

displaying an image of the geostatistical conditional simulation or the another geostatistical interpolation.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining if the image validates the variogram model comprises:

comparing the image and the variogram model to confirm whether the variogram model is properly oriented and includes a proper major scale of continuity and a proper minor scale of continuity.

11. A program carrier device for carrying computer executable instructions for validating a variogram model, which comprises:

selecting variogram modeling parameters for the variogram model;

performing an unconditional simulation or a geostatistical interpolation;

rendering an image of simulated values or interpolated values;

displaying the image of simulated values or interpolated values; and

determining if the image validates the variogram model.

12. The program carrier device of claim 11, further comprising:

selecting input data; and

performing the unconditional simulation or the geostatistical interpolation based on a property for the selected input data.

13. The program carrier device of claim 11, wherein the unconditional simulation is performed using values selected from a normal distribution and the variogram modeling parameters.

14. The program carrier device of claim 11, wherein the geostatistical interpolation is performed using predetermined data points and the variogram modeling parameters.

15. The program carrier device of claim 11, further comprising:

adjusting the variogram modeling parameters; and

performing another unconditional simulation using values selected from a normal distribution and the adjusted variogram modeling parameters.

16. The program carrier device of claim 11, further comprising:

adjusting the variogram modeling parameters; and

performing another geostatistical interpolation using predetermined data points and the adjusted variogram modeling parameters.

17. The program carrier device of claim 15, further comprising:

displaying another image of simulated values while adjusting the variogram modeling parameters and performing the another unconditional simulation;

determining if the another image validates the variogram model; and

repeating the steps of displaying another image of simulated values and determining if the another image validates the variogram model until the another image validates the variogram model.

18. The program carrier device of claim 16, further comprising:

displaying another image of interpolated values while adjusting the variogram modeling parameters and performing the another geostatistical interpolation;

determining if the another image validates the variogram model; and

repeating the steps of displaying another image of interpolated values and determining if the another image validates the variogram model until the another image validates the variogram model.

19. The program carrier device of claim 12, further comprising:

performing a geostatistical conditional simulation or another geostatistical interpolation using the selected input data and the variogram modeling parameters; and

displaying an image of the geostatistical conditional simulation or the another geostatistical interpolation.

20. The program carrier device of claim 11, wherein determining if the image validates the variogram model comprises:

comparing the image and the variogram model to confirm whether the variogram model is properly oriented and includes a proper major scale of continuity and a proper minor scale of continuity.