1. Three-Dimensional Subsurface Modeling Utilizing Petra Software
Stephen F. Meigs Jr.
The University of Texas at Dallas
GISC 6389, GIS Masters Project
November 30, 2006

2. Contents Introduction Project Objective Literature Review Data Sources
Methodology
Discussion
Conclusions

3. Introduction
Increased demand for most naturally occurring energy sources
Find more reserves for less cost
Develop a three-dimensional modeling process
Cost effective
Assist Geologists and Engineers
Petra software from IHS Energy, Inc

4. Introduction 3-D Visualizer Module Problem
Lack of documentation
Time
Consulting with Geologists and Engineers
Study area
The Elm Grove Gas Field
Southeast corner of Caddo Parish, Louisiana

5. Study Area
Map of Northwest Louisiana showing the project area. T15N R11W,
T15N R12W, and T14N R12W

6. Introduction Petra PI Dwights ArcView Main Module Mapping Module
Cross-Section Module
Thematic Mapper Module
3-D Visualizer Module
PI Dwights
Well database
Well selection
ArcView
Projection issues
Shapefiles

7. Contents Introduction Project Objective Literature Review Data Sources
Methodology
Discussion
Conclusions

8. Project Objective Establish a methodology for creating 3-D models
Time
Step-by-step procedure
Petra’s 3-D Visualizer
Preliminary steps
Tools
What are they?
How to use them?
Find more reserves for less money

9. Contents Introduction Project Objective Literature Review Data Sources
Methodology
Discussion
Conclusions

10. Literature Review
CAD project of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
1959 first full-scale project that processes drawings in computers
AutoCAD
Originally drew 2-D orthographic drawing with three separate views
AutoCAD 11 true 3-D models were able to be created
Today other choices exist
Petra’s 3-D Visualizer

11. Literature Review 3-D subsurface models
Visualization
Manipulation
Preserves the shape of an object
Measurements
Predicting spatial variation of one or more geologic variables
Variables represent any property of the geologic subsurface that exhibits spatial variability and can be measured in terms of real numbers (Houlding, 1994)

12. Contents Introduction Project Objective Literature Review Data Sources
Methodology
Discussion
Conclusions

13. Data Sources Digital Data Services, Inc. (DDS)
Purchased
Township, range, and section data
Third quarter of 2005
Digital orthographic quarter quadrangles (DOQQ)
Atlas, the Louisiana statewide GIS database
Brokers – updated monthly
Coastal Land Services
Exploration Land Services

14. Data Sources ArcView Projection Tiff images Data imported into Petra
North American Datum 1927
State Plane Louisiana North FIPS 1701
Tiff images
From Brokers
Georeferenced
Data imported into Petra
Procedure created for importing and exporting with Petra

15. Data Sources Well Data Geologic Consulting Services PI Dwights on CD
1” electric logs
Surface data; rivers, lakes, parishes…
PI Dwights on CD
Well headers
API#- American Petroleum Institute Number
Shreveport Log Library
Raster logs, hard copy
Acquisition 2 Drilling Technologies
SONRIS
Raster logs, digital copy, downloaded
The Department of Natural Resources for Louisiana

16. Contents Introduction Project Objective Literature Review Data Sources
Methodology
Discussion
Conclusions

17. Methodology Help menu Preliminary steps Use preexisting project
North Louisiana Petra Project
Township Ranges and sections
Parishes
Well files
Ensure proper projection
Import ArcView data
Broker, raster images
Lease holdings - omitted
HBP- held by production

18. Help Menu Contents tab Select the only link Welcome to 3DViz
Select 3DViz Module
Select 3D Visualization Module
Select the only link
Welcome to 3DViz
Lists what can be displayed
Select link
Program Navigation
Describes keyboard and mouse controls

19. Help Menu

20. Methodology Wells logs, Petra Main Module Scan hard copy logs
Download digital logs
Raster Tab
Calibration
Digitize
Perfs/Shows Tab
Enter Perforation information
Enter Shows information
Zones Tab
Ensure/enter KB, DF, and ground elevations

21. Petra Modules Main Map Cross-section Thematic Mapper 3-D Visualizer
Initial screen
Map
Surface visualization
Cross-section
Raster and digital logs
Thematic Mapper
Importing shapefiles
3-D Visualizer
3-D Models

22. Main Module
Cross-Section
Thematic Mapper
Mapping
3-D Visualizer

23. Mapping Module

24. Cross-Section Module

25. Thematic Mapper Module

26. 3-D Visualizer Module

27. 3-D Visualizer First major problem Prior to opening
Displaying the wells
Prior to opening
Ensure Main and Mapping Modules are open
Select wells in Mapping Module
Select map selected wells in Main Module
Open 3-D Visualizer
Select map selected wells
Refresh
Display frame or show well symbol plane

29. 3-D Visualizer Tools Bore Holes Tops Shows Perfs Logs Dip Meter Log
Add Grid
Load Petra Overlays
Add Petra Map
Cross-Section
Depth Plane
Seismic

30. Bore Holes Left mouse click Right mouse click Bore Holes properties
Dim feature

31. Tops Select Options Tops from Cross-Section Module
Ticks, Discs, Cylinders
Taylor Formation of the Cotton Valley Group

32. Shows Selected from mud logs
Choose all shows or set parameters for specific shows

33. Perfs Perforated intervals
Darker shades represent overlapping intervals

34. Yellow represents sands and Brown represents shales
Logs
Digitized Logs
Gamma Ray Log
Depth interval can be narrowed
Yellow represents sands and Brown represents shales

35. Add Grid IsoPach Grid Topography of depositional environment
Modern day subsurface topography
Cotton Valley limestone
Vertical exaggeration x10

36. Load Petra Overlays Map layers are linked to files in database
Display depth can be any desired depth

37. Add Petra Map Select map file Browse window
Nothing under drop down menu
Browse for file has zero results
Browse window
.GEO file extension is required
How do you get this extension?

38. Add Petra Map Trial and error Petra Mapping Module Known parameters
.GEO file extension
Petra Map
Petra Mapping Module
File, Export – does not work
File, Save – does not work
File, Print to file

39. Add Petra Map Print Map Options Verify Map Size Print Information
Set scale
Set key options
Verify Map Size
No, change scale
Yes
Print
Shows printer
Box, print to file
Do Not Check Box
Select OK
Information
File, Export, 3DViz…

40. Add Petra Map Save Image As 3DViz Image Save
3DViz Image (JPG) Files, is the type
.jpg file extension?
Save
Back to the Map Print Preview screen
Now what?

41. Add Petra Map Check the location of the saved file
.JPG file exists
.GEO file exists
Retry using Add Petra Map tool
Browse to proper file
Click Open

42. Add Petra Map Petra Map Modify layers Select File Choose parameters
Resave map

43. Cross-Section Cross-Section Module Crispness Create
Save, same method as Petra Map
Crispness

44. Depth Plane Plane Horizontal plane based on lateral extent
Set-up parameters
Red plane is -5,000’ below sea-level
Blue plane is -9,000’ below sea-level

45. Dip Meter Log and Seismic
Required and needs to be digitized
Unfortunately dip meter logs were unavailable
Seismic tools
Currently these tools are still in development

46. Contents Introduction Project Objective Literature Review Data Sources
Methodology
Discussion
Conclusions

47. Discussion Methodology for 3-D Visualizer Required knowledge
Systematically examining each tool/icon
Exploring their capabilities
Writing two documents.
Required knowledge
Saving files using the 3DViz export function
Learning to navigate through the module
Documentation
Detailed what each tool was for and their properties
Step-by-step procedure for each tool

48. Contents Introduction Project Objective Literature Review Data Sources
Methodology
Discussion
Conclusions

49. Conclusions Objectives Trial and error was the rule
Step-by-step procedure for each tool was created
Each tool
Known for what it does
Known how to use them
Required knowledge of preliminary steps are known
Trial and error was the rule
Each step had to be done in a multitude of ways
Working model
Exploration Companies’ goal of “finding more reserves for less money”
Assisted by this project
Matador Resources Company will use this procedure

50. Conclusions Innovation Future Work
With a procedure that has been exhaustively examined and refined for a product that is readily available, the 3-D Visualizer methodology will greatly enhance any company that uses Petra.
Future Work
Seismic tools for Petra’s 3-D Visualizer
Interpolating logs from well to surrounding wells
Examine the dip meter tool in more detail

51. References
A2D, 2006, Well Logs [Computer Files], Acquisition 2 Drilling Technologies, Humble, TX, TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company
Atlas, 2001, Digital Orthographic Quarter Quadrangles (DOQQ) [Online], Baton Rouge, LA, (retrieved on 28 June 2006)
Bowman, Doug A., Kruijff, Ernst, LaViola Jr., Joseph J., and Poupyrev, Ivan, 2005, 3D User Interfaces: Theory and Practice: Addison-Wesley, Boston, p. 478
DDS, 2005, Louisiana-Public Land Survey System [Computer Files], Lakewood, CO, Digital Data Services Inc.
ESRI, 2006, ArcView 9.1 [CD], Redlands, CA, Environmental Systems Research Institute Inc.
GCS, 2006, Drawing Interchange Files (DXF, CSV) [Computer Files] Houston, TX, Geological Consulting Services Inc.
GEOMAP, 2006, Drawing Interchange Files (DXF, CSV), Well Logs [Computer Files], Plano, TX, GEOMAP Company
Guarino, Mac, 2006, Raster Brokerage Maps [Computer Files], Lafayette, LA, Coastal Land Services
Houlding, Simon W., 1994, 3D Geoscience Modeling: Springer, Verlag Berlin, p. 309
IHS, 2006, Petra [CD], Tulsa, OK, IHS Energy Inc.
IHS, 2006, PI/Dwights PLUS on CD 1.7 [CD], Englewood, CO, IHS Energy Inc.
Johnson, Frank J., 1992, 3D AutoCAD for Architects and Engineers: McGraw-Hill, New York, p. 269
Shreveport Log Library, 2006, Well Logs [Hard Copy], Shreveport, LA, Shreveport Petroleum Data Association
SONRIS, 2006, Well Files [Computer Files], Strategic Online Natural Resource Information System, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Baton Rouge, LA
Toriya, H. and Chiyokura H., 1993, 3D CAD Principles and Applications: Springer, Verlag Berlin, p. 282
Wilson, John E., 1999, 3D Modeling in AutoCAD: Creating and Using 3D models in AutoCAD 2000: Miller Freedman Books, San Francisco California, p. 484
Xu, Xueming, 2000, Three-Dimensional virtual geology: photorealistic outcrops, and their acquisition, visualization and analysis: PhD Thesis, University of Texas at Dallas, p. 169
Zaunbrecher, Burt, 2006, Raster Brokerage Maps [Computer Files], Lafayette, LA, Exploration Land Services

52. Acknowledgments University of Texas at Dallas
Dr. Carlos Aiken
Dr. Ronald Briggs
Dr. John Ferguson
Matador Resources Company
Bo Henk
Andy Juett
Mike Ernest
Diane Scott
Maria Diaz
Justin Bagley
Adam Franklin