Application of Artificial Neural Networks for Identification of Lithofacies by Processing of Core Drilling Data

Abstract

Identifying lithofacies types from core drilling data presents significant challenges, especially given the limited number of physical drilling characteristics available for analysis. Traditional machine learning methods often face issues with poor training and testing due to these limitations. Addressing this, we propose a new method for processing core drilling data to improve the accuracy of deep artificial neural networks (DANNs) in lithofacies recognition. Our approach transforms torque, weight on bit (WOB), and rotational speed data into three square matrices, creating a novel three-channel lithofacies image. This method allows for the application of DANNs by converting the complex lithofacies recognition task into a more standard image recognition problem. The developed method dramatically increases the input vector dimensions, enhancing the richness of the data input. The validation of results revealed that the DANN model trained for merely 3000 iterations successfully predicted lithofacies types of all eight testing samples in a mere 2.85 ms, showcasing superior accuracy. The innovative drilling data processing method proposed in this study enables DANNs to identify lithofacies with increased speed and accuracy. This offers a new direction for other DANNs utilizing drilling data.