Reservoir Lithology Determination by Hidden Markov Random Fields Based on a Gaussian Mixture Model

In this paper, geological prior information is incorporated in the classification of reservoir lithologies after the adoption of Markov random fields (MRFs). The prediction of hidden lithologies is based on measured observations, such as seismic inversion results, which are associated with the latent categorical variables, based on the...

A Classification of Clay-Rich Subaqueous Density Flow Structures

This study presents a classification for subaqueous clay-laden sediment gravity flows. A series of laboratory flume experiments were performed using 9%, 15%, and 21% sediment mixture concentrations composed of sand, silt, clay, and tap water, on varying bed slopes of 6°, 8°, and 9.5°, and with discharge rates of 10 and 15 m³/hr. In...

Integrating outcrop and subsurface data to assess the temporal evolution of a submarine channel-levee system

The morphological evolution of submarine channel systems can be documented using high-resolution three-dimensional seismic data sets. However, these studies provide limited information on the distribution of sedimentary facies within channel fills, channelscale stacking patterns, or the detailed stratigraphic relationship with adjacent levee...

Report on ICDP workshop CONOSC (COring the NOrth Sea Cenozoic)

ICDP workshop COring the NOrth Sea Cenozoic focused on the scientific objectives and the technical aspects of drilling and sampling. Some 55 participants attended the meeting, ranging from climate scientists, drilling engineers, and geophysicists to stratigraphers and public outreach experts. Discussion on the proposed research sharpened the...

Experimental validation of fracture aperture determination from borehole electric microresistivtiy measurements

We studied the electric response of fractures with laboratory experiments and numerical simulations for a full-bore formation microimaging tool. The laboratory setup was designed and built to perform controlled experiments with accurate measurements of all principal properties involved for electric borehole imaging. These properties are...

Non-Vegetated Playa Morphodynamics Using Multi-Temporal Landsat Imagery in a Semi-Arid Endorheic Basin: Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Playas in endorheic basins are of environmental value and highly scientific because of their natural habitats of a wide variety of species and indicators for climatic changes and tectonic activities within continents. Remote sensing, due to its capability of acquiring repetitive data with synoptic coverage, provides a unique tool to monitor and...

Dutch natural gas strategy: Historic perspective and challenges ahead

We highlight a watershed in the natural gas legacy of the Netherlands: after 50 years of successful gas development, production output of conventional fields will decline from 2010 onwards. The projected decline in Dutch gas output will lead to a loss of future income for the State. In the past, E&P companies were prepared to compete for access...

High-resolution reservoir characterization by an acoustic impedance inversion of a Tertiary deltaic clinoform system in the North Sea

Fluvio-deltaic sedimentary systems are of great interest for explorationists because they can form prolific hydrocarbon plays. However, they are also among the most complex and heterogeneous ones encountered in the subsurface, and potential reservoir units are often close to or below seismic resolution. For seismic inversion, it is therefore...