A Novel Method for Locally Updating an Earth Model While Geosteering

Abstract

Earth models are important tools for support of decision making processes for optimal exploitation of subsurface resources. For geosteering and other real-time processes where time is a major constraint, effective model management is decisive for optimal decision support. During drilling, subsurface information is received which should optimally be used to modify the 3D earth model. Today this model is typically not altered during the operation. We discuss the principles of a novel method that enables a populated earth model grid to be locally modified when the topology (connectivity) of the geological structure is locally altered. The method also allows local updates of the grid resolution. The modelled volume is split into closed regions by the structural model. Each region is individually discretized and obtains its own subgrid. Properties are stored in separate functions, e.g. for each layer, and transferred into each subgrid via a mapping. A local update of the geological structure implies that only subgrids in regions that are directly affected by the updated structure must be discarded and rebuilt, and the rest of the populated earth model grid is retained. Our focus is on decision support for optimal well placement while geosteering. The proposed method aims to manage multiple model realizations that are never fixed and always locally updated with the most recent measurements and interpretations in real-time, and where each realization is always kept at an optimal resolution.