3-D Well Log Invention

Abstract

In an embodiment, creation of a continuous three dimensional array of data from digital information obtained from a wellbore, and representation in a seismic data formatted dataset. In an embodiment, providing the capability to export stratigraphic interpretations made while working within the 3D-log data volume back to any wellbore that is encompassed within the areal extent of the 3D-log data volume. In one embodiment, a 2D well grid creation process comprises the steps of (a) selecting an initial grid spacing, (b) assigning wells from a dataset of well data to closest nodes in the grid, (c) if a plurality of wells are assigned to a single node after completing step (b), narrowing the grid spacing and repeating step (b) until no more than one well is assigned to any node. In an embodiment the non-well nodes are populated by extrapolating from adjacent single well nodes.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A process to create a 2D well grid comprising the steps of:
 a. selecting an initial 2D grid spacing,   b. assigning wells from a dataset of well data to closest nodes in the grid, and   c. if a plurality of wells are assigned to a single node after completing step b, narrowing the grid spacing and repeating step b until no more than one well is assigned to any node.   
     
     
         2 . A process to create a 3D well log grid, comprising the step of associating tabulated well log data with a matrix of grid nodes wherein single wells are assigned to single nodes to generate a 3D well log grid. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 2  comprising generating the matrix of grid nodes by the steps of:
 a. selecting an initial 2D grid spacing, 
 b. assigning wells from a dataset of well data to closest nodes in the grid, and 
 c. if a plurality of wells are assigned to a single node after completing step b, narrowing the grid spacing and repeating step b until no more than one well is assigned to any node. 
 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 3  wherein the tabulated well log data comprise stratigraphic correlations by well, whereby the 3D well log grid comprises a matrix of grid nodes with stratigraphic correlations assigned to the single-well nodes. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising populating non-well nodes with stratigraphic correlation data. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 3 , further comprising populating non-well nodes with stratigraphic correlation data. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising populating non-well nodes with well log data extrapolated from single-well nodes. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 3 , further comprising populating non-well nodes with well log data extrapolated from single-well nodes. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 5  wherein stratigraphic tops are used to control the non-well node population. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 6  wherein stratigraphic tops are used to control the non-well node population. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 2  further comprising converting the all-node-populated 3D matrix of well log data to a seismic data format. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 3  further comprising converting the all-node-populated 3D matrix of well log data to a seismic data format. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 11  wherein the seismic data format comprises SEG-Y or SEG P1. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 11  further comprising interpreting the seismic data formatted 3D matrix. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 12  further comprising interpreting the seismic data formatted 3D matrix. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein the interpretation is selected from petrophysical, log facies, structural and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 14 , further comprising associating the interpretations with a well process at a specific well through the use of unique well identifiers. 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein the well process comprises completion or production of oil and gas wells. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein the well process comprises the creation of pseudo wells to evaluate exploration opportunities. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 15 , wherein the well process comprises the creation of pseudo wells to evaluate exploration opportunities.