Total
Selects INT J/GeoToolkit to Help Develop Sismage, a flagship application based
on image analysis techniques that helps improve subsurface interpretation
The
Challenge
To augment conventional interpretation, modern interpreters are
looking for new tools in sedimentology, reservoir modeling, lithology prediction
and hydrocarbon detection. Sismage, the result of 10 years of in-house research
at Total, applies advance image analysis techniques to seismic data in order to
address the urgent needs of geologists and geophysicists interpreting large 2D/3D
surveys. Sismage integrates some of the major applications of image analysis including:
- Channel
detection and characterization
- Horizons
and faults automatic picking in 2D and 3D data
- Interval
analysis for sequences and facies analysis
- Neural
network for facies identification, pseudo-log production and well calibration
- Amplitude
anomaly detection which could be correlated with hydrocarbon traps
- Automatic
stratigraphic analysis on 2D/3D seismic
- Time
/ depth conversions
- Reservoir
grid attribute extraction
- Chrono-stratigraphic
decomposition
The
original version of Sismage was developed using the C programming language and
X/MOTIF. Over the years, the software grew in complexity becoming difficult to
maintain and enhance. The Research and Development team at Total decided to rewrite
the application, incorporating modern software technologies such as object oriented
design, distributed architecture, and advanced 3D visualization:
- Java
was chosen to improve productivity and reliability
- A
component based architecture was used to facilitate the integration of new research
results and analyses into the application
- Improved
data management and data access by connecting Sismage to major vendor's platforms
such as OpenWorks or Geoframe via OpenSpirit
- Improved
graphical user interfaces and workflows
The
INT Solution
One of the goals for the new Sismage was redesign of the GUI
to provide a more efficient and consistent interaction pattern throughout the
application. A high-priority task was finding a solution for the demanding geoscience
views, preferably by leveraging readily available graphic tools in order to keep
development costs as low as possible. After in-depth testing of performance and
functionality, the team at Total decided to develop the Sismage graphical interface
using INT J/GeoToolkit Java components. A complete set of viewers were developed
using INT technology, including seismic cross-sections, base maps, well log editors,
section and basemap multi views and 3D viewers.
Additionally,
INT provided the support of an expert on site to work with the Total team and
expedite development of the viewers, thereby helping them to meet Total's aggressive
development objectives.
The
Results
Total is now in the process of deploying the new release of Sismage
in its Headquarter and affiliate offices. This is an important step towards effectively
delivering a new research application for all the operational units. INT technology
contributed to the success of the new Sismage project, allowing the Total development
team to focus on core business and research added value modules. In addition,
INT provided outstanding support to upgrade the toolkit with performance enhancements
and new functionality during the development phase. The collaboration has been
productive for both parties.
J/GeoToolkit
proved itself to be a powerful and efficient solution for building graphical user
interfaces for geoscience applications. Performance and portability on Linux,
Windows, SGI and SUN is one of the advantages of the Java version of INT's GeoToolkit.
Total is now looking forward to incorporating more INT technology in new Sismage
viewers, including multi-well cross-sections, wavelet extraction and well calibration.
They also plan to extend the use of J/GeoToolkit components to other Total research
projects.
Return
to Customer Stories Page
