Machine Learning on Permian Seismic?

Pioneer Natural Resources is improving the accuracy of its Midland basin depth-models by up to 40%, using a machine-learning algorithm to re-calibrate its seismic from well logs. Faster drilling and better production rates should follow.

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Pioneer Natural Resources has patented a new methodology in 2018, to calibrate its seismic images in the Permian, with reference to its well-logs. Ordinarily this task would be challenging and time-intensive. But the new algorithm employs machine-learning. This places it at the cutting edge of Permian data-science, where just 2% of technical papers have used ML in the past year (chart below).

machine learning on permian seismic

Specifically, a multi-layer neural network model iteratively improves the estimates of key seismic parameters from the log data (e.g., impedance, sonic velocity, Youngโ€™s modulus, Poissonโ€™s ratio) (chart below). This algorithm improves the vertical accuracy of seismic interpretations by up to 40%.

The neural network creates different inversion volume estimates (208) from the well logs (202) and their attributes (204)

Improved well-placement and geo-steering. The patent cites how โ€œreflectors that were previously unmappable on conventional seismic data can be mapped so horizontal wells can be more accurately placedโ€. This will be used to target wells into larger-capacity reservoirs and to inform well completion parameters.

Improved drilling-times. The company also cited a need to avoid drilling through carbonate debris flows in the Midland basin. They are excessively hard, damage drill-bits and lead to costly โ€˜tripsโ€™. Instead, it is intended to use the better-calibrated seismic to steer well-paths through brittle organic facies. Thus, we expect the innovation to lower costs and improve well-economics

Pioneer screens as one of the top quartile operators, across all the technologies we have diligenced so far (chart below). Although, please note, we are still โ€œearlyโ€ in our project to categorize who has the best technologies in oil and gas.

If you would like to read our latest deep-dive note on shale-technology it is linked here. The full database, covering all 300 technical papers is available here.

Patent Source: Meek, R., (2018). High Resolution Seismic Data Derived from Pre-Stack Inversion and Machine Learning. Pioneer Natural Resources USA, patent WO2018201114

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