A Stochastic Object Model Conditioned to High-Quality Seismic Data

We present an approach for modeling facies bodies in which a highly constrained stochastic object model is used to integrate detailed seismic interpretation of the reservoir’s sedimentological architecture directly in a three-dimensional reservoir model. The approach fills the gap between the use of seismic data in a true deterministic sense, in which the facies body top and base are resolved and mapped directly, and stochastic methods in which the relationship between seismic attributes and facies is defined by conditional probabilities. The lateral geometry of the facies bodies is controlled by seismic interpretations on horizon slices or by direct body extraction, whereas facies body thickness and cross-sectional shape are defined by a mixture of seismic data, well data, and user defined object shapes. The stochastic terms in the model are used to incorporate local geometric variability, which is used to increase the geological realism of the facies bodies and allow for correct, flexible well conditioning. The result is a set of three-dimensional facies bodies that are constrained to the seismic interpretations and well data. Each body is defined as a parametric object that includes information such as location of the body axis, depositional direction, axis-to-margin normals, and external body geometry. The parametric information is useful for defining geologically realistic intrabody petrophysical trends and for controlling connectivity between stacked facies bodies.     

The Impact of Heterogeneity on the Anisotropic Strength of an Outcrop Shale

Properly accounting for the mechanical anisotropy of shales can be critical for successful drilling of high inclination wells, because shales are known to be weak along bedding planes. To optimize the drilling parameters in such cases, a sufficiently representative, anisotropic rock mechanical model is therefore required. This paper presents such a model developed to better match results from a dedicated, extensive set of uniaxial and triaxial compression tests performed on plugs of Mancos outcrop shale with different orientations relative to the bedding plane. Post failure inspection of the plugs shows that the failure planes are to some extent affected by the orientation of the applied stress relative to the bedding planes, indicating that the bedding planes may represent weak planes which tend to fail before intrinsic failure occurs, whenever the orientation of these planes is suitable. The simple “plane of weakness” model is commonly used to predict strength as function of orientation for such a rock. A comparison of this model to the experimental data shows, however, that the weak planes seem to have an impact on strength even outside the range of orientations where the model predicts such impact. An extension of this model allowing the weak planes to be heterogeneous in terms of patchy weakness was therefore developed. In this model, local shear sliding may occur prior to macroscopic failure, leading to enhanced local stresses and corresponding reduction in strength. The model is found to give better match with strength data at intermediate orientations. The model is also able to partly predict the qualitatively different variation of Young’s modulus with orientation for this data set.     

A seismic field test with a Low-level Acoustic Combustion Source and Pseudo-Noise codes

The Low-level Acoustic Combustion Source (LACS) which can fire its pulses at a high rate, has been tested successfully as a seismic marine source on shallow ice-age sediments in Byfjorden at Bergen, Norway. Pseudo-Noise pulsed signals with spiky autocorrelation functions were used to detect the sediments. Each transmitted sequence lasted 10 s and contained 43 pulses. While correlation gave a blurry result, deconvolution between the near-field recordings and the streamer recordings gave a clear seismic section. Compared to the section acquired with single air-gun shots along the same profile, the LACS gave a more clear presentation of the sediments and basement.     

Complete periodical geological time table

Conclusion The proposal for a new complete classification of the Earth's evolution in accordance with periods of geotectonic cycles — depending on the external cosmic influence of the galactic year — has been elaborated as an additional application of a system model. Its basic idea is the principle of a hierarchical division and recurring cycles. For the time being, the significance of a periodical time table is a theoretical one. It allows a new view to be used when evaluating the last stages of the Earth's history during the Phanerozoic for which comparatively more geological information is available. However, a universal approach like the one described above can aid in directing further research on the older history of the Earth. Later on, theoretical knowledge could be applied to economic geology, above all if using a hierarchical classification of the phases of geotectonic cycles.     

Evaluating the Poroelastic Effect on Anisotropic, Organic-Rich, Mudstone Systems

Understanding the poroelastic effect on anisotropic organic-rich mudstones is of high interest and value for evaluating coupled effects of rock deformation and pore pressure, during drilling, completion and production operations in the oilfield. These applications include modeling and prevention of time-dependent wellbore failure, improved predictions of fracture initiation during hydraulic fracturing operations (Suarez-Rivera et al. Presented at the Canadian Unconventional Resources Conference held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 15–17 November 2011. CSUG/SPE 146998 2011), improved understanding of the evolution of pore pressure during basin development, including subsidence and uplift, and the equilibrated effective in situ stress (Charlez, Rock mechanics, vol 2 1997; Katahara and Corrigan, Pressure regimes in sedimentary basins and their prediction: AAPG Memoir, vol 76, pp 73–78 2002; Fjær et al. Petroleum related rock mechanics. 2nd edn 2008). In isotropic rocks, the coupled poro-elastic deformations of the solid framework and the pore fluids are controlled by the Biot and Skempton coefficients. These are the two fundamental properties that relate the rock framework and fluid compressibility and define the magnitude of the poroelastic effect. In transversely isotropic rocks, one desires to understand the variability of these coefficients along the directions parallel and longitudinal to the principal directions of material symmetry (usually the direction of bedding). These types of measurements are complex and uncommon in low-porosity rocks, and particularly problematic and scarce in tight shales. In this paper, we discuss a methodology for evaluating the Biot’s coefficient, its variability along the directions parallel and perpendicular to bedding as a function of stress, and the homogenized Skempton coefficient, also as a function of stress. We also predict the pore pressure change that results during undrained compression. Most importantly, we provide values of transverse and longitudinal Biot’s coefficients and the homogenized Skempton coefficient for two important North American, gas-producing, organic-rich mudstones. These results could be used for petroleum-related applications.     

Elastic Dispersion Derived from a Combination of Static and Dynamic Measurements

Utilization of laboratory tests for calibration and interpretation of data from seismic surveys requires knowledge about elastic dispersion in the range from seismic to ultrasonic frequencies. Data on such dispersion are hard to obtain because it requires specially designed equipment and also relies on simplifying assumptions about rock symmetry. A new method for estimation of dispersion in this frequency range is presented here. This method requires only standard rock mechanical equipment with ultrasonic velocity measurements, and is based on comparison of static and dynamic data. A key element in this method is a procedure for elimination of strain amplitude as a source for differences between static and dynamic moduli. High-quality data is necessary, but the required accuracy is not extreme. Application of the method on one partly saturated shale and two dry sandstone samples indicates that dispersion increases with clay content, and decreases with stress.     

Use of the weighted Kappa coefficient in classification error assessment of thematic maps

Abstract

The weighted Kappa coefficient is applied to the comparison of thematic maps. Weighted Kappa is a useful measure of accuracy when the map classes are ordered, or when the relative seriousness of the different possible errors may vary. The calculation and interpretation of weighted Kappa are demonstrated by two examples from forest surveys. First, the accuracy of thematic site quality maps classified according to an ordinal scale is assessed. Error matrices are derived from map overlays, and two different sets of agreement weights are used for the calculation. Weighted Kappa ranges from 0.34 to 0.55, but it does not differ significantly between two separate areas. Secondly, weighted Kappa is calculated for a tree species cover classified according to a nominal scale. Weights reflecting the economic loss for the forest owner due to erroneous data are used for the computation. The value of weighted Kappa is 0.56.     

Land system changes in the context of urbanisation: Examples from the peri-urban area of Greater Copenhagen

Peri-urban areas are characterised by great heterogeneity and rapid changes of land use. Furthermore, population composition changes as peri-urban areas offer attractive residential alternatives to city centres or more remote locations. The dynamic processes leave peri-urban areas in an in-between situation, neither city nor countryside and home to a range of functions, spanning from agricultural production to residential and recreational areas. The paper investigates the urbanisation of agricultural areas in the Greater Copenhagen region based on quantitative data collected on agricultural properties in nine study areas between 1984 and 2004. The overall conclusion is that agricultural land use has continued largely unaffected by the processes of urbanisation. However, most of the production is concentrated on a few very large full-time farms. In addition, the economic activities have been greatly diversified over the last three decades. The structural components of the areas (land use and landscape elements) thus appear more resilient than the socio-economic system (declining number of full-time farmers and increasing number of owners engaged in other gainful activities). However, at some point this discrepancy will disappear and rapid land use changes may be expected.