INTERACTIVE 3D VISUALIZATION OF INTEGRATED GEOLOGIC AND GEOPHYSICAL SUBSURFACE DATA USING PYTHON

Interactive 3D visualization of subsurface geologic and geophysical data had previously only been possible using expensive commercial software. Not only was this cost prohibitive, but it was difficult to share the model with other users. Previously, only static images or animations were able to be exported and shared. It is now possible to create fully interactive 3D visualizations using python. Using an open-source programming language allows for the flexibility to design the visualization platform to fit the needs of each project. It can be designed to be used on the desktop and then deployed to the internet as an interactive dashboard. The usage of dashboards has gained in popularity over the past several years. A wide variety of data can be shared with anyone with only an internet connection and a web browser.

Subsurface 3D visualization is applicable to multiple tasks such as petroleum and mineral exploration, carbon capture and underground storage (CCUS), and geothermal. We discuss three dashboards, one for each application. The Boggess dashboard uses data acquired during the Marcellus Shale Energy and Environmental Laboratory (MSEEL) study. Six horizontal shale wells were drilled along with one vertical science well. The dashboard is available to explore at following address (http://boggessdashboard.herokuapp.com).

A dashboard was also created to show the application to CCUS. This dashboard uses data acquired during the Illinois Basin Decatur Project (IBDP). Two vertical wells were drilled and logged. Carbon dioxide was injected into one of the wells over a period of 3 years. Microseismic events were captured over a period of 7 years. The dashboard for this project can be accessed at (http://ibdpdashboard.herokuapp.com).

The last dashboard was built to show its application to a geothermal well project. A deep geothermal test well has recently been drilled as part of a Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored geothermal project conducted at West Virginia University. This well drilled on a previous MSEEL project well pad includes the four previously drilled horizontal Marcellus wells. The dashboard integrates data from both projects and is accessible at (https://geothermaldashboard-5e1a7b9c875f.herokuapp.com).