LithoTect® Geometry Reconstruction
Overview
Current
Functionality
Geometry Reconstruction
Restoration and Balancing
Depth Conversion
The
standard models that are used for reconstructing subsurface geometry
fall into two main categories that describe the layers - parallel and
similar. Parallel folds are typically associated with contractional
fold-thrust structures and maintain a constant bedding-perpendicular
thickness. Two combined interpolation/projection models are commonly
used for parallel geometries - 'Busk' and dip domain.
The Busk method creates concentric parallel folds by interpolating
circular arcs between known constraints, whereas dip domain construction
uses angle bisectors to create an angular parallel geometry (i.e., the
method of all other commercial reconstruction applications which currently
allow parallel projection). Besides interpolating, both methods allow
projection of additional horizons away from the interpolating layer.
But
both methods have intrinsic problems even for ideal applications - e.g.,
there are Busk method artifacts associated with the radial centerpoints,
and the occasionally extreme geometry of angular bend horizon (although
its lack of esthetics is somewhat offset by dip domain's ability to
constrain the limits of an interpretation given scattered constraints,
e.g., to be as high or low as the extremes shown in the right figure).
LithoTect provides the standard dip domain construction, but also has
a concentric parallel projector that does not have the problems of Busk
construction, as it only uses radial arcs on the convex side of interpolated
bends. With the exception of the occasional application of numerical
cubic spline interpolators, these are the only two geological horizon
interpolators currently available.
