Sketch-Based Reservoir Modelling: Fast Prototyping of Reservoir Models to Explore Interpretation-Based Uncertainty

Sketch-based interface and modelling (SBIM) is a new approach that uses intuitive sketches to build 3D models. Rapid Reservoir Modelling (RRM) is an implementation of SBIM for subsurface modelling, that allows the user to sketch concepts or to trace interpretations over existing data in order to produce 3D reservoir models in a very short timeframe (minutes). These reservoir models can then be interrogated for a series of static parameters, and a flow diagnostics module provides a first estimate of dynamic behaviour. The user can quickly generate a suite of models representing different scenarios or interpretations and compare or rank them using multiple derived parameters. RRM can be used to quickly test what the effect could be of different interpretations or modelling decisions, before a reservoir modelling approach is finalised, or specific detailed models are built. It may help to decide on modelling parameters such as grid size, but also inform the inputs for uncertainty workflows, as uncertainty associated with different concepts can be translated into RRM model outputs.

Here we will illustrate how sketches of different geological interpretations of the same dataset are used to construct 3D models using RRM, and show the impact these have on resulting model properties.