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A new paradigm for data integration and collaboration using 3-D visualization technology

Veritas Exploration Services, Houston, Texas, U.S.

Kimberly Cline

Veritas Exploration Services, Houston, Texas, U.S.

Mary Kadri

Veritas Exploration Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Corresponding author: Louis_Liro@veritasdgc.com

The first 20% of the full text of this article appears below.

Seismic interpretation still begins with the simple question "what if...?" in the interpreter's mind and translating that question into a working model. However, modern 3-D visualization allows that model to be constructed and evaluated in real time by a technically integrated staff. It is now possible at the onset of a project to review the data, identify prospective regions or reservoir trends, assess key technologic challenges, and determine an efficient work direction in an afternoon.

Conventional seismic interpretation involves analyzing 2-D lines or 3-D volumes in in-line and cross-line vertical orientations. Cross-sections are displayed on paper or workstation screens as "flat" images, without regard to the third dimension and often with little regard to the distances between sample points. Well log correlation and log-to-seismic calibrations are performed by visual match of data without proper quantification and statistical analysis.

These approaches, dating from the time when seismic and well data were interpreted on paper, don't exploit the information available from a modern 3-D data volume. Today's computer capabilities have made these conventional techniques obsolete because 3-D visualization of data in real time is possible as a routine part of the interpretation workflow. This volume-driven approach should be the new paradigm for "conventional" interpretation.

Project planning

Data visualization, like any other process, benefits from effective planning. The most difficult aspect of applying project planning to visualization projects is a requirement for rapid decision-making and project plan revisions. Only through a collaborative environment, involving multidisciplinary staff and project managers, can rapid and significant changes in project direction take place.

A generalized workflow for effective integration of visualization into multidisciplinary teams is:

1. Review of available data by the entire team in the visualization room and preparation of preliminary work plan. Data may be in any format. It is common to view digital and paper data simultaneously. . . . [Full Text of this Article]