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Variogram Modelling

The document discusses geostatistical estimations and simulations, highlighting the advantages of geostatistics over simple interpolation methods by incorporating spatial correlation in the estimation process. It outlines the three main steps of geostatistical estimation: examining similarity through variogram analysis, fitting a mathematical function, and conducting kriging interpolation. Additionally, it notes the limitations of geostatistics, emphasizing that it is a mathematical approach rather than a geological one, and the choice of method depends on the quality and density of the sampled data.

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28 views13 pages

Variogram Modelling

The document discusses geostatistical estimations and simulations, highlighting the advantages of geostatistics over simple interpolation methods by incorporating spatial correlation in the estimation process. It outlines the three main steps of geostatistical estimation: examining similarity through variogram analysis, fitting a mathematical function, and conducting kriging interpolation. Additionally, it notes the limitations of geostatistics, emphasizing that it is a mathematical approach rather than a geological one, and the choice of method depends on the quality and density of the sampled data.

Uploaded by

bsamalesu2
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Geostatistical estimations

Geostatistical Simulations
Flow predictions using realization of
a geostatistical simulations

Fig 1.Flow predictions based on the realizations generated in a geostatistical simulation


Geostatistics versus Simple
Interpolation
In geostatistical estimation, we wish to estimate a property at an unsampled location, based on the spatial
correlation characteristics of this property and its values at existing sampled locations.

But, why not just use simple interpolation? How is spatial correlation incorporated in the geostatistical
approach?

A simple example may illustrate this point more clearly (Figure 2 below): we know permeability at n
sampled locations, we wish to estimate the permeability at an unsampled location, z0.

𝑛
𝑍 0=∑ 𝑊𝑖𝑍𝑖 )
𝑛
(Estimate) 1 (weight)
𝑊𝑖= / ∑ (1 / 𝑑𝑖
𝑖=1 𝑑𝑖 𝑖 =1
Geostatistics versus Simple
Interpolation
We can see that the above relation is a linear estimator, i.e., z0 is a weighted sum of the n known values.
Each weight (wi) (assigned to a known zi) is determined by the distance of the known data point to the
unknown data point. For n = 7,

For example, the weights can be calculated easily as shown in Figure 2. Using this scheme, the weights
assigned to points 1, 2, 4, 6 are all equal to 0.2. However, from the understanding of geology, we realize
that permeability within the elongated sand body should be more similar in the lateral direction.

Thus, points 4 and 6 should be given higher weights than points 1 and 2. This is obviously not the case
when using inverse distance.
Fig 2. Estimation of the unknown permeability z0 based on a set of known values of permeability at
n locations.
Fig 3. Estimation of the unknown z0 given 7 known values. Numbers in parenthesis are weights
assigned to the known values based on inverse distance.
Geostatistics versus Simple
Interpolation
Thus, in conventional interpolation methods (e.g., inverse distance, inverse distance squared),
information on spatial correlation is not incorporated.

On the other hand, geostatistical estimation considers both distance and spatial correlation.

In general, geostatistical estimation consists of 3 steps:

(1) Examining the similarity between a set of sample (known) data points via an experimental
variogram analysis;

(2) Fitting a permissible mathematical function to the experimental variogram;

(3) conducting kriging interpolation based on this function.


Geostatistics versus Simple
Interpolation
In the above example, the spatial correlation will be revealed by the more similar values of z4 and
z6 (step (1)). It will be modeled via step (2) (variogram modeling).

Then, using kriging, we will find that the weights assigned to points 4 and 6 will increase (those
of 1 and 2 will decrease accordingly since the total weight must sum to 1.0) (step (3)).

In kriging, based on the new weights, a best linear unbiased estimate of z0 is obtained. Further
(though sometimes optional depending on the goal of the study), uncertainty in the estimated field

is additionally evaluated.
Geostatistics versus Simple
Interpolation
2
Given the same set of sampled data, interpolation results using IDS (di is replaced by𝑑 )𝑖 and
kriging can look drastically different (Figure 4)

However, does this mean that kriging is the preferred interpolation method regardless of the data?
It turns out, there are situations when the sampled data are simply not good for kriging

Given such data either too unreliable or too sparse and widely spaced to capture the spatial
correlation of the true property field, the conventional IDS may give just as good result.

The decision of which method to use is in a way data-driven. Usually, an increase in sample
quality or density will affect which method may be the most appropriate for the study.
Geostatistics versus Simple
Interpolation

Fig 4. Estimation results from IDS and Kriging, based on the same set of sample data.
Limitations
What is not geostatistics?
• Interestingly, geostatistics models are mathematical objects, not geological objects. For
example, given a set of spatial measurements of isopach values, a geologist can create
various contour maps based on his/her understanding of the underlying geology (Figure 5).

• This process is best described as pattern recognition| by the geologist has an existing idea
of the underlying geology when doing the interpretation.

• Geostatistics, however, does not recognize pattern, rather, it is based on a set of


mathematical principles.
Figure 5: A geologist's interpretations of isopach data (a) meandering channel; (b) infill channel; (c) paleovalleys; (d) barrier
bar and tidal channel.

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