PUBLIC TALK: Mapping the Subsurface

A free public lecture by Henning Omre, Professor in Statistics, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Norwegian University of Science & Technology, Trondheim.

Probability was originally ’the theory of gambling’ – later, the theory was developed to assess the uncertainty in outcomes of future randomized experiments. Can the theory be applied to mapping of geological properties and characteristics, which are undoubtly deterministic – created millions of years ago?

When assessing complex subsurface phenomena at great depths – like petroleum reservoirs – one has to rely on many sources of information: basic sedimentary understanding; basic physical flow relations; observations along well paths; reflection data from seismic surveys; and the production history of fluids. Is there a fundamental law for combining various pieces of information associated with uncertainty?

Probabilistic statements about subsurface phenomena are difficult to interpret. Are there general guidelines for which maps to generate? Several examples from spatial and spatio-temporal modelling of petroleum reservoirs will be presented in this lecture. The solutions are based on methodologies resulting from the discussions of the questions posed above.

Cost: Free. No RSVP required.