Geostatistics for Seismic Data Integration in Earth Models
Course Description
In recent years the use of geostatistics has spread from the world of reservoir characterization to that of velocity analysis, seismic inversion, uncertainty quantification, and more generally to that of seismic data integration in earth models. Nevertheless, many geoscientists still regard geostatistics as little more than a statistical black box. By explaining the concepts and applications, this course clarifies the benefits of geostatistics and helps spread its use. The course covers the use of geostatistics for interpolation (kriging, etc.), heterogeneity modeling (conditional simulation), uncertainty quantification, and data integration (cokriging, geostatistical inversion, etc.). A variety of applications and examples are presented, including velocity mapping, construction of realistic heterogeneity models, and seismic data integration in stochastic earth models. The relationships between geostatistics and approaches more familiar to geophysicists, such as filtering or Bayesian methods, are also discussed, without entering into mathematical details. A number of case studies are presented, covering examples from various parts of the world. The short-course presentation provides an overview of basic concepts and applications. The course notes provide a support to the course and further extend some of the more technical considerations.
Course Objectives
As a result of attending this course, geoscientists will better understand how geostatistics fits into their workflow, what tools and techniques they should use depending on the problem at hand, and what added value may result from its use. More specifically, after attending the course, geoscientists will be able to: • Define the right variogram to use in order to quantify their geological knowledge • Recognize and discuss the main assumptions that were made in a given geostatistical study • Interpret the results of a geostatistical heterogeneity modeling exercise, whether based on kriging or conditional simulation • Choose among the various geostatistical modeling methods proposed by earth modeling software
Course Outline
Part 1: What does the Variogram mean? Ordinary Kriging, External Drift Kriging and Collocated Cokriging for combining seismic and well data, Factorial Kriging for filtering seismic data. Part 2: Monte-Carlo Simulation, Conditional Simulation, Geostatistical Inversion and Earth Model Uncertainty Quantification.
Participants’ Profile
Geoscientists (including geologists, earth modelers, petrophysicists, geophysicists and reservoir engineers) who have been exposed to applications of geostatistics but would like to improve their understanding.
Prerequisites
Very basic statistical knowledge, and ideally some exposure to existing geostatistical software and applications.
About the Instructor
Olivier Dubrule obtained a PhD Degree in Petroleum Geostatistics at Ecole des Mines de Paris in 1981. He then worked for Sohio Petroleum Company in the USA (1982-1986), Shell International in The Netherlands (1986-1991) and, since 1991, he has been with Elf and Total, working in France, the UK and Qatar. Dubrule was Manager of the Total Geoscience Research Centre in Aberdeen (UK) (2004-2008) and of the Total Research Centre Qatar (2008-2011). He was VP Geoscience Training and Technical Image in Pau (France) (2012-2014). Dubrule just retired from Total but continues teaching at Imperial College. Olivier Dubrule has authored many papers in the field of geostatistics and earth modelling. In 1991, he received the President’s prize of the International Association of Mathematical Geology, for “Outstanding Contribution to Mathematical Geology by an individual 35 years or younger”. He organized and chaired a number of events organized by SPE, EAGE, SEG or AAPG. Dubrule is the author of AAPG Course Notes Series #38 “Geostatistics in Petroleum Geology”, and editor (with E. Damsleth) of “Petroleum Geostatistics” a Special Issue of EAGE’s Petroleum Geoscience Journal, published in 2001.He was the SEG/EAGE DISC (Distinguished Instructor Short Course) in 2003 and President of EAGE (European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers) in 2004-2005. His book “Geostatistics for Seismic Data Integration in 3-D Earth Models” was translated in Russian and Farsi.