EAGE Subsurface Intelligence Workshop

Subsurface Intelligence (SI) aims to create high definition representations of the petroleum system where uncertainty is minimized, or the intrinsic uncertainty is quantified. SI couples state of the art technologies (including high performance computing, data sciences and AI) and deep knowledge of geoscience fundamentals to achieve the best constrained predictions for hydrocarbon prospects, producing fields and reservoirs. 

Success in SI depends on the effective integration of human knowledge and skills with computer-generated models of the subsurface based on the suite of geophysical and geological datasets available to the industry from both the surface and sub-surface.

Conventional approaches for estimating the economic potential of subsurface targets requires the acquisition of different types of data throughout exploration and production. This typically means, that the deepest subsurface knowledge for given location is achieved when commercial operations are abandoned, and the opportunity to profit further from fully integrated data and interpretations has gone. 

In addition, the timing of acquisition for different data types, such as an expenditure on a 3D seismic survey, or acquiring specific well logs, impacts the timing of new geologic insights and, in turn, key investment decisions.

Photo credit: Edubirdie

The potential reward of applying SI during the process is to maximise the insight obtained from existing data prior to acquisition of new data, hence reduces the uncertainty in the subsurface model at an earlier stage. Not only does this increase confidence in the risk management process, from which commercial decisions are taken, it can ensure subsequent data acquisition is focused on reducing uncertainty of the revised critical risks.

With the advent of the 4th industrial revolution, technologies and techniques such as cloud computing, machine learning and advanced software algorithms, and cyber-physical systems are rapidly becoming integral to the Petroleum business. Furthermore, with geoscience knowledge at its all-time peak, the time is right to adopt a different mindset and shift to the new paradigm of Subsurface Intelligence, whereby practitioners can estimate, and continually revise, uncertainty in a more quantitative manner throughout the lifetime of a project leading to a more informed decision-making process.

Effective Subsurface Intelligence will enable us to capture full value from continuing hydrocarbon discoveries in mature basins, achieve more accurate evaluations of hydrocarbon resources and improve field development and production strategies. These objectives pose challenging questions, such as: 

  • What technology developments will be required? 
  • In what time frames can these be realistically achieved? 
  • How should we be training future generation of geoscientists? 
  • What is the role of the future geoscientist in building an accurate high-definition representation of the subsurface?

Workshop Layout

(oral presentations, panel sessions, round table discussions,poster/company display areas…)

  • Academia
  • NOCs and IOCs
  • Service Companies
  • People’s Skills
  • Include an industry-academia collaboration session