Stackable Stratigraphy: Building Stratigraphic Models from Seismic and Tops Data

Abstract:

The subsurface is one of the most difficult places to not only visualize and analyze, but to communicate effectively. In modern complex geographic information systems (e.g., Schlumberger’s Petrel, or ESRI’s ArcGIS), an expert can spend months picking formation tops form well data, mapping horizons from seismic data, and integrating these into a geological model. This time spent is often then only communicated to peers and the public through static two-dimensional images in a digital presentation, journal article, or map. If the expert is brave enough to try a live demo, technical problems often plague the performance. 3D-Printing allows complex, digital 3D models to be realized as tangible objects that can be intuitively manipulated by experts and non-experts alike. No electricity is required, and they are quite rugged when made from the most common 3D printing materials allowing the expert the opportunity to communicate in the field without a digital projection system. 3D-Printable models of subsurface stratigraphic layers in Kansas. For a US Department of Energy Carbon Sequestration Project, a stackable model of the stratigraphy at a potential storage site was made using 3D seismic data and 3D-printed to show key reservoir and sealing intervals as well as their spatial relationship to the land surface. New statewide stratigraphic layers were modeled were modeled from formation tops data held in the Kansas Geological Survey’s well database. This included mapping new tops for the surface of Precambrian basement. These models were used at local and regional conferences as well as interacting with project partners and stakeholders.