3D Modeling & Visualization in Oil & Gas
Oil and gas stakeholders always look to assess the geological subsurface situation before subsequent actions are taken via steel fabrication like drilling, refining, transporting etc. Rapid advancements in technology have enabled development of 3D models of potential oil sources and data visualization, thus providing more insights for making business decisions. Visualization has its own challenges characterized by computationally expensive algorithms, a diverse and large number of data sets and a need for greater collaboration. However, this is a fascinating world with the potential to unlock multiple advantages in the oil and gas sector. Let’s deep dive into this topic in this blog.
Why is 3D modeling and visualization needed?
Building 3D models helps to optimize the exploration and production of oil and gas fields, assess potential and increase yield from oil sources. A higher level of understanding will lead to earlier recognition of problems, reduce avoidable delays and associated substantial expenses. The optimal visualization of 3D geo-datasets is vital for geologists and geophysicists to analyze and evaluate geological and geophysical information components with higher confidence. Recent research has shown that only a limited set of visual cues is necessary to create a convincing representation of reality. These cues can be incorporated into design solutions, providing refiners (for example) with a highly intuitive visualization of the subterranean landscape which will assist in streamlining the processes of crude oil refining.
Factors in achieving modelling and visualization
Data Management
Petroleum engineers and geoscientists spend a substantial amount of time combining 2D and 3D data sets from multiple sources to create interpolated 3D digital subsurface models, thus giving an idea if equipment like pressure vessels are required. These datasets are used extensively over longer periods of time by the oil and gas industry in a variety of formats, with varying resolutions and in very large volumes. Middleware enables interactive navigation of largest volumes even on relatively low-end machines. The user does not have to wait for all the data to be loaded, only the data actually needed is loaded and multiple users can access the same data simultaneously because they use only their own local system memory to load the data.
Computing
For many years applications enjoyed an automatic increase in performance as CPU vendors competed to increase the clock speed in each new generation of chips. The CPU vendors are now competing to increase the number of “cores” in each new generation of chips. Middleware libraries offers the capability which enables the application to take advantage of multiple cores without changing the application code. They also provide building-block algorithms, such as fast Fourier transform (FFT) and convolution that are already highly optimized for new architectures.
Rendering
The rendering of 3D images is a parallel-computing task. The ability to program the GPU results in higher quality rendering, sharper definition of shadows and edges in oil wells, new rendering techniques and new opportunities for interaction by combining computing and rendering on the GPU. Combining computing and rendering in the GPU enables techniques including volume clipping (e.g., against horizon surfaces), volume masking (using values of one volume to mask another volume), and volume warping (e.g., horizon flattening).
Final Thoughts
As the visualization field matures, true oil and gas data integration becomes critical to accurate modelling and subsequent analysis by relevant stakeholders. Some vendors have started offering 4D visualization services in this space, however the correctness of simulation models is yet to be fully determined and its acceptance by industry heavyweights is in progress. Modeling and simulation also needs to take into account advancements in other technologies in processes like drilling so as to provide more precise estimates. It is clear however, that having a clear and concise 3D model of the oil and gas field is an excellent reference prior to commencing operations – however, there should not be sole dependence on these models since they are subject to changes in natural conditions which may alter model dynamics at any point in time!