Determining optimum curvilinear trajectory in oil and gas exploration from known point towards target volume whose position is not known with certainty

摘要

An optimum curvilinear trajectory is determined from a known point towards a 3-dimensional target with a center and a boundary and where the position of points within the target volume are not known precisely. An optimum curvilinear trajectory is determined from a known point towards a 3-dimensional target with a center and a boundary and where the position of points within the target volume are not known precisely. Each point in the target is given a value with the center having the highest value. An accumulated gain is calculated for each point in the medium where the target exists using the gains for points in the target. A volume of interest is defined from the accumulated gains and trajectories that traverse this volume are calculated. A benefit associated with each trajectory is calculated by integrating the accumulated gains along the trajectory. Trajectories whose benefits exceed a threshold are saved.