3D Geological Modeling

LYNX geological modeling is based on advanced surface and volume modeling technology .... designed to provide the functionality required for 3D interpretation and modeling of complex subsurface conditions. The modeling technology is fully integrated with LYNX data management, geostatistics and geo-engineering functionality.

3D Interactive Geological Interpretation Advanced volume modeling technology and interactive viewplane manipulation capabilities allow complex geological conditions to be interpreted on the computer using methods that are immediately familiar to all geoscientists. A typical interpretation progresses from interpreted sections, to intersecting fence sections, to a full 3D interpretation of geological volumes. Interpretation may be performed at any orientation appropriate to the geological conditions. Boundary snapping and selection tools, combined with interactive geological sectioning, ensure 3D integrity of the final interpretation. The modeling algorithms allow the degree of detail incorporated to be adjusted to suit characterization objectives.

viewplane sections at any orientation, controlled by real-world coordinates and azimuth / inclination / scale parameters. background displays of any combination of data structures in a wide range of display formats. interactive boundary interpretation of geological entities and assignment of characteristics. boundary snapping and selection from any graphical entity in the background display. 3rd dimension projection of boundaries to form geological volumes. interactive 3D interpretation of volume boundaries into complex irregular shapes. wild-card grouping of geological volumes to represent structural and stratigraphic units. interactive geological sectioning at any viewplane orientation through defined geological units.

Surface Modeling Tools

surface data manipulation tools, including contouring, thinning, clipping, merging and coordinate transformation. hole data projection for generation of surface and isopach information from hole data structures. TIN surface modeling for generation of triangulated topologies from surface information at any 3D orientation, with feature honoring and interactive editing tools. TIN surface mapping for combining surface information sources. surface intersection tools for generation of complex 3D intersection profiles from multiple TIN sources.

3D Geological Modeling from Surfaces

surface manipulation of offset and thickness parameters from multiple TIN sources for generation of structural and stratigraphic modeling information. 3D orientation of surface-based models to suit structural and stratigraphic conditions. surface clipping / truncation between TIN sources to handle outcrop, erosion and pinch-out conditions. structural surface modeling for representation of topography, fault surfaces and geological contacts. stratigraphic modeling of variable thickness units by auto-generation of volume elements between TIN surfaces.

Surface-based modeling tools provide an alternative modeling option to interactive interpretation. They allow rapid generation of geological models from structural and stratigraphic surface information. Surface-based techniques are particularly appropriate to relatively simple geological conditions, such as layered stratigraphy. They may also be used in conjunction with interactive interpretation where this is appropriate.

Integrated 3D Geostatistics Functionality

• integral functionality between 3D geological modeling and 3D geostatistics (see Geostatistical Analysis and Estimation)

• complete geological control of the geostatistical prediction process

Spatial integration of volume and grid data structures provides integrated vector and voxel-based functionality. This provides the basis for geological control of the geostatistical prediction process using 3D interpretation models of geology.

2D Visualization Tools

2D viewplane visualization; orthogonal projections of any combination of characterization information and modeling results onto viewplane sections at any 3D orientation and scale; with interactive viewplane manipulation, variable data projection depths, scale distortion, and a wide range of display formats including contouring, color-coding, histogram displays, color-mapping, boundary hi-lighting and geological sectioning.

3D Visualization Tools

3D visualization; provides presentation-quality perspective visuals for all LYNX data structures. visualization tools include 3D sectioning, isosurface generation, semi-transparencies, light-sourcing, surface texturing, spatial probes, advanced color-mapping and 3D color contouring. manipulation tools include interactive rotation, panning, zooming, scaling, color-map definition and data selection. graphics image export in standard image formats.