Geostatistical Simulation

This book deals with the estimation of natural resources using the Monte Carlo methodology. It includes a set of tools to describe the morphological, statistical and stereological properties of spatial random models. Furthermore, the author presents a wide range of spatial models, including random sets and functions, point processes and object populations applicable to the geosciences. The text is based on a series of courses given in the USA and Latin America to civil, mining and petroleum engineers as well as graduate students in statistics. It is the first book to discuss the geostatistical simulation techniques in such a specific way.

When this two-day meeting was proposed, it was certainly not conceived as a celebration, much less as a party. However, on reflection, this might have been a wholly appropriate gesture because geostatistical simulation came of age this year: it is now 21 years since it was first proposed and implemented in the form of the turning bands method. The impetus for the original development was the mining industry, principally the problems encountered in mine planning and design based on smoothed estimates which did not reflect the degree of variability and detail present in the real, mined values. The sustained period of development over recent years has been driven by hydrocarbon applications. In addition to the original turning bands method there are now at least six other established methods of geostatistical simulation. Having reached adulthood, it is entirely appropriate that geostatistical simulation should now be subjected to an intense period of reflection and assessment. That we have now entered this period was evident in many of the papers and much of the discussion at the Fontainebleau meeting. Many questions were clearly articulated for the first time and, although many ofthem were not unambiguously answered, their presentation at the meeting and publication in this book will generate confirmatory studies and further research.

Published in 2002, the first edition of Geostatistical Reservoir Modeling brought the practice of petroleum geostatistics into a coherent framework, focusing on tools, techniques, examples, and guidance. It emphasized the interaction between geophysicists, geologists, and engineers, and was received well by professionals, academics, and both graduate and undergraduate students. In this revised second edition, Deutsch collaborates with co-author Michael Pyrcz to provide an expanded (in coverage and format), full color illustrated, more comprehensive treatment of the subject with a full update on the latest tools, methods, practice, and research in the field of petroleum Geostatistics. Key geostatistical concepts such as integration of geologic data and concepts, scale considerations, and uncertainty models receive greater attention, and new comprehensive sections are provided on preliminary geological modeling concepts, data inventory, conceptual model, problem formulation, large scale modeling, multiple point-based simulation and event-based modeling. Geostatistical methods are extensively illustrated through enhanced schematics, work flows and examples with discussion on method capabilities and selection. For example, this expanded second edition includes extensive discussion on the process of moving from an inventory of data and concepts through conceptual model to problem formulation to solve practical reservoir problems. A greater number of examples are included, with a set of practical geostatistical studies developed to illustrate the steps from data analysis and cleaning to post-processing, and ranking. New methods, which have developed in the field since the publication of the first edition, are discussed, such as models for integration of diverse data sources, multiple point-based simulation, event-based simulation, spatial bootstrap and methods to summarize geostatistical realizations.

The return of the congress to North America after 20 years of absence could not have been in a more ideal location. The beauty of Banff and the many offerings of the Rocky Mountains was the perfect background for a week of interesting and innovative discussions on the past, present and future of geostatistics. The congress was well attended with approximately 200 delegates from 19 countries across six continents. There was a broad spectrum of students and seasoned geostatisticians who shared their knowledge in many areas of study including mining, petroleum, and environmental applications. You will find 119 papers in this two volume set. All papers were presented at the congress and have been peer-reviewed. They are grouped by the different sessions that were held in Banff and are in the order of presentation. These papers provide a permanent record of different theoretical perspectives from the last four years. Not all of these ideas will stand the test of time and practice; however, their originality will endure. The practical applications in these proceedings provide nuggets of wisdom to those struggling to apply geostatistics in the best possible way. Students and practitioners will be digging through these papers for many years to come. Oy Leuangthong Clayton V. Deutsch ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We would like to thank the industry sponsors who contributed generously to the overall success and quality of the congress: De Beers Canada Earth Decision Sciences Maptek Chile Ltda. Mira Geoscience Nexen Inc. Petro-Canada Placer Dome Inc.

These proceedings of the IAMG 2014 conference in New Delhi explore the current state of the art and inform readers about the latest geostatistical and space-based technologies for assessment and management in the contexts of natural resource exploration, environmental pollution, hazards and natural disaster research. The proceedings cover 3D visualization, time-series analysis, environmental geochemistry, numerical solutions in hydrology and hydrogeology, geotechnical engineering, multivariate geostatistics, disaster management, fractal modeling, petroleum exploration, geoinformatics, sedimentary basin analysis, spatiotemporal modeling, digital rock geophysics, advanced mining assessment and glacial studies, and range from the laboratory to integrated field studies. Mathematics plays a key part in the crust, mantle, oceans and atmosphere, creating climates that cause natural disasters, and influencing fundamental aspects of life-supporting systems and many other geological processes affecting Planet Earth. As such, it is essential to understand the synergy between the classical geosciences and mathematics, which can provide the methodological tools needed to tackle complex problems in modern geosciences. The development of science and technology, transforming from a descriptive stage to a more quantitative stage, involves qualitative interpretations such as conceptual models that are complemented by quantification, e.g. numerical models, fast dynamic geologic models, deterministic and stochastic models. Due to the increasing complexity of the problems faced by today’s geoscientists, joint efforts to establish new conceptual and numerical models and develop new paradigms are called for.

Earth science is becoming increasingly quantitative in the digital age. Quantification of geoscience and engineering problems underpins many of the applications of big data and artificial intelligence. This book presents quantitative geosciences in three parts. Part 1 presents data analytics using probability, statistical and machine-learning methods. Part 2 covers reservoir characterization using several geoscience disciplines: including geology, geophysics, petrophysics and geostatistics. Part 3 treats reservoir modeling, resource evaluation and uncertainty analysis using integrated geoscience, engineering and geostatistical methods. As the petroleum industry is heading towards operating oil fields digitally, a multidisciplinary skillset is a must for geoscientists who need to use data analytics to resolve inconsistencies in various sources of data, model reservoir properties, evaluate uncertainties, and quantify risk for decision making. This book intends to serve as a bridge for advancing the multidisciplinary integration for digital fields. The goal is to move beyond using quantitative methods individually to an integrated descriptive-quantitative analysis. In big data, everything tells us something, but nothing tells us everything. This book emphasizes the integrated, multidisciplinary solutions for practical problems in resource evaluation and field development.

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to multiple-point geostatistics, where spatial continuity is described using training images. Multiple-point geostatistics aims at bridging the gap between physical modelling/realism and spatio-temporal stochastic modelling. The book provides an overview of this new field in three parts. Part I presents a conceptual comparison between traditional random function theory and stochastic modelling based on training images, where random function theory is not always used. Part II covers in detail various algorithms and methodologies starting from basic building blocks in statistical science and computer science. Concepts such as non-stationary and multi-variate modeling, consistency between data and model, the construction of training images and inverse modelling are treated. Part III covers three example application areas, namely, reservoir modelling, mineral resources modelling and climate model downscaling. This book will be an invaluable reference for students, researchers and practitioners of all areas of the Earth Sciences where forecasting based on spatio-temporal data is performed.