Title: Hierarchical Compression modelling for Petrel
Researchers: Dr Marcus Vinicius Carneiro Martins, Dr Tom Manzocchi
The compression-based hierarchical modelling approach was developed as a stand-alone package (vbFIFT) as a final deliverable from a pair of industry-funded projects (Fault Analysis Group 2005, 2009). The modelling approach combines aspects of object-based and surface-based modelling to produce hierarchical models with low levels of amalgamation even at a high net:gross ratio (e.g. Fig 1). The relationship between amalgamation ratio and net:gross ratio in natural systems depends on sedimentary environment, however in conventional object-based modelling only the net:gross ratio is defined as input and the amalgamation ratio is an inevitable modelling outcome. vbFIFT was an extremely ambitious software development that included significant sedimentological and fault-related functionality allowing models to be built with independent parameterisations of several element types within increasingly smaller (and less determinist) model volumes. Despite considerable interest from sponsoring companies at the time it was released, vbFIFT has never been used in industry modelling, principally because it has a very complicated workflow and user interface. During a recent PhD project (Zhang 2015), vbFIFT was used at a reservoir scale proving the applicability of the approach, but reinforcing the complexity of the software. The rationale for the current project are to improve accessibility of the methods within vbFIFT, by implementing the modelling concepts within the industry-standard Petrel software. The main object of this project is to implement the modelling functionalities of the existing vbFIFT into utility Plug-ins for Petrel, and to tie these plugins together to define consolidated workflows, either as Petel “Worflows” or a new composite plug-ins.