Visualization of Uncertainty on 3D Geological Models using Blur and Textures.

@inproceedings{Viard2GM2009,
 abstract = { 3D geological models commonly built to manage natural resources are much affected by uncertainty because most of the subsurface is inaccessible to direct observation. We propose two real-time visualization methods to explore both the 3D subsurface geometry and physical properties, and the associated spatial uncertainty. These methods respectively map a “fabric” texture and blur intensity to the local degree of uncertainty, which leaves color available for the display of additional variables. The quality of the visualization is discussed using criteria from the perception community, with special focus on the multivariate visualization aspects. We also have conducted a user study within a group of graduate students specialized in geology. This confirms empirically the usefulness of our tools. Our visualization methods are applied to a Middle East oil and gas reservoir, looking for the optimal location of a new appraisal well. Uncertainty is sampled on a set of porosity realizations which honor the geological constraints. Appraisal wells should be drilled in areas with high uncertainty to bring new pieces of information, and also reach areas with a potentially high hydrocarbon content in order to confirm the economical interest of the reservoir. The suggested uncertainty visualization methods are valuable for this task, for both the hydrocarbon content and the local degree of uncertainty can be shown at once. },
 author = { Viard, Thomas AND Caumon, Guillaume AND Levy, Bruno },
 booktitle = { Proc. 29th Gocad Meeting, Nancy },
 title = { Visualization of Uncertainty on 3D Geological Models using Blur and Textures. },
 year = { 2009 }
}