Drillhole uncertainty propagation for three-dimensional geological modeling using Monte Carlo

In this paper, a complete and comprehensive MCUE procedure for common drillhole path and log uncertainty propagation is proposed. Basic concepts of drillhole uncertainty are introduced and are applied to a Markov Chain scheme. Appropriate disturbance distributions for the different parts of the problem and their respective parameterization are discussed. The method proposed is demonstrated on three separate proof of concept case studies of increasing complexity. Results demonstrate that the method is able to propagate path and log uncertainty appropriately. First order interpretation indicates that both path and log uncertainty increase with depth and angle of attack to the geological interfaces. Ignoring drillhole uncertainty was found to be detrimental to the understanding of a modeled area which is most likely due to the over-constraining effect brought by “perfect” drillholes. The third case study (Mansfield) hints that uncertainty is better reduced when drillholes intersect the “triple line” that partitions three distinct lithologies. In cross-sections, triples lines appear as triple points.