Similarity learning for wells based on logging data

TL;DR

This paper introduces a deep learning framework for automating interwell correlation by estimating geological profile similarities from logging data, significantly improving accuracy over traditional methods.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel deep learning-based similarity model that operates in an unsupervised manner, reducing subjectivity and manual effort in interwell correlation analysis.

Findings

Achieved 92.6% accuracy in similarity estimation.

Outperformed baseline gradient boosting models.

Validated on datasets from New Zealand and Norway.

Abstract

One of the first steps during the investigation of geological objects is the interwell correlation. It provides information on the structure of the objects under study, as it comprises the framework for constructing geological models and assessing hydrocarbon reserves. Today, the detailed interwell correlation relies on manual analysis of well-logging data. Thus, it is time-consuming and of a subjective nature. The essence of the interwell correlation constitutes an assessment of the similarities between geological profiles. There were many attempts to automate the process of interwell correlation by means of rule-based approaches, classic machine learning approaches, and deep learning approaches in the past. However, most approaches are of limited usage and inherent subjectivity of experts. We propose a novel framework to solve the geological profile similarity estimation based on a deep learning model. Our similarity model takes well-logging data as input and provides the similarity of wells as output. The developed framework enables (1) extracting patterns and essential characteristics of geological profiles within the wells and (2) model training following the unsupervised paradigm without the need for manual analysis and interpretation of well-logging data. For model testing, we used two open datasets originating in New Zealand and Norway. Our data-based similarity models provide high performance: the accuracy of our model is $0.926$ compared to $0.787$ for baselines based on the popular gradient boosting approach. With them, an oil\&gas practitioner can improve interwell correlation quality and reduce operation time.