3d object delineation

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of 3D object delineation from 3D seismic data comprising the steps of providing 3D seismic data ( 144,200,300 ; processing the data ( 210,310 ) based on at least one characteristic ( 320 ) whereby said characteristic is extracted from the data and compared with at least one reference characteristic and delineated ( 330 ) based on the comparison, and defining a geological element ( 340 ) based on the delineation. The characteristics ( 320 ) may be adjusted. Data can be processed ( 210,310 ) based on one characteristic ( 222,232 ) then processed based on a second characteristic ( 224,234 ) or data is processed based on two characteristics substantially simultaneously ( 252 ). Data may be processed n times ( 246 ) producing n delineations from which the geological element is defined ( 260 ). An algorithm is provided for processing the data which may shift an evolving shape description of an object between explicit ( 222,234 ) and implicit ( 224,232 ) representations, where each shift applies a transformation to the object. Multiple sources of data ( 200,200′, 200 ″) may be utilised simultaneously to drive the delineation process.

1 . A method of 3D object delineation from 3D seismic data comprising the steps of:
 a) providing 3D seismic data ( 144 , 200 , 300 );   b) processing the data ( 210 , 310 ) based on a first characteristic ( 320 ) wherein, said first characteristic is extracted from the data and compared with at least one reference characteristic so as to define a set of object data;   c) delineating the object data according to a first delineation technique ( 330 );   d) transforming the delineated object data using a second delineation technique so as to obtain a set of improved object data;   e) extracting object data from the improved object data set; and   f) repeating steps b) to e) using the extracted object data, until desired criteria are reached, so as to define a region of interest ( 340 ).   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the first delineation technique includes active contour delineation; and the second delineation technique is level set segmentation; the region of interest ( 340 ) being defined is a geological element. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein, the characteristics ( 320 ) include colour, texture, intensity, energy, phase, frequency and mufti-spectral attributes. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to any of  claims 1  to  3  wherein, the data is processed ( 210 ,  310 ) based on one characteristic ( 222 ,  232 ) to produce a first delineation and then the first delineation is processed based on a second characteristic ( 224 ,  234 ) to provide a second delineation from which the region of interest is defined ( 260 ). 
     
     
         5 . A method according to any preceding claim wherein, the data is processed ( 210 , 310 ) based on multiple characteristics that are used to produce multiple delineations. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5  wherein, the multiple delineations are used to define simultaneously a geological element and uncertainty properties for direct inclusion in a reservoir model. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 5  wherein, the multiple delineations are provided directly to a user of the system for manual usage. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to any preceding claim wherein, the data is processed n times ( 246 ) producing n delineations from which the geological element is defined ( 260 ). 
     
     
         9 . A method according to any of  claims 5  to  8  wherein, the data is processed based on two characteristics substantially simultaneously ( 252 ). 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1  or  claim 3  wherein, the data is processed ( 210 , 310 ) based on one characteristic to produce a delineation from which a geological element is defined. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to any proceeding claim wherein, the at least one characteristic ( 320 ) is adjusted during data processing ( 310 ) to guide the delineation process. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein, the at least one characteristic ( 320 ) and/or delineation ( 330 ) is adjusted based on statistical probability either using user expertise or a data model ( 350 ) that is accessed or used simultaneously. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to any preceding claim wherein an algorithm is provided for processing the data. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein, the algorithm transitions an evolving shape description of an object between explicit domain ( 222 , 234 ) and implicit domain ( 224 , 232 ) representations, where each transition applies a transformation to the object. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to any preceding claim wherein, multiple sources of data ( 200 , 200 ′, 200 ″) are utilised simultaneously to drive the delineation process. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to any preceding claim wherein, a statistically driven ‘direction of least resistance’ is utilised to further improve capability and performance of the technique in a number of common 3D delineation scenarios. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to any preceding claim wherein an expert driven ‘skeleton relative forces’ method is utilised to provide additional expertise that is incorporated within the delineation. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein expert driven and statistically driven methods are utilised simultaneously. 
     
     
         19 . A system for carrying out the method of 3D object delineation according to any of  claims 1  to  18  includes at least one database that stores 3D imaging data ( 144 ,  200 ,  300 ); a processor for processing the data ( 210 ,  310 ); an output means for displaying object data and a region of interest; and an input device, such as a man machine interface, that enables an operator to operate the system.