Three examples of the use of neural networks in analyses of geologic data from hydrocarbon
reservoirs are presented. All networks are trained with data originating from clastic reservoirs of
Neogene age located in the Croatian part of the Pannonian Basin. Training always included similar
reservoir variables, i.e. electric logs (resistivity, spontaneous potential) and lithology determined from
cores or logs and described as sandstone or marl, with categorical values in intervals. Selected
variables also include hydrocarbon saturation, also represented by a categorical variable, average
reservoir porosity calculated from interpreted well logs, and seismic attributes. In all three neural
models some of the mentioned inputs were used for analyzing data collected from three different oil
fields in the Croatian part of the Pannonian Basin. It is shown that selection of geologically and
physically linked variables play a key role in the process of network training, validating and
processing. The aim of this study was to establish relationships between log-derived data, core data,
and seismic attributes. Three case studies are described in this paper to illustrate the use of neural
network prediction of sandstone-marl facies (Case Study # 1, Okoli Field), prediction of carbonate
breccia porosity (Case Study # 2, Benic `´anci Field), and prediction of lithology and saturation (Case
Study # 3, Kloštar Field). The results of these studies indicate that this method is capable of providing
better understanding of some clastic Neogene reservoirs in the Croatian part of the Pannonian Basin.
Key words: neural network, log data, seismic, Croatia, Pannonian Basin
Introduction
Generally, neural networks are modern interpretation tools with several
purposes. In the early days of artificial intelligence Rosenblatt – an American
Addresses: T. Malvic ´: Šubic ´eva 29, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia, e-mail: tomislav.malvic@ina.hr
J. Velic ´, M. Cvetkovic ´: Pierottijeva 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
J. Horváth: H-6722 Szeged, Egyetem u. 2–6, Hungary
Received: September 9, 2010; accepted: December 18, 2010
1788-2281/$ 20.00 © 2010 Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest
Central European Geology, Vol. 53/1, pp. 97–115 (2010)
DOI: 10.1556/CEuGeol.53.2010.1.6
Neural networks in petroleum geology
as interpretation tools
Tomislav Malvic ´ Josipa Velic ´
INA-Oil Industry Plc., Department of Geology and Geological Engineering,
Sector for Geology and Reservoir Management, Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Geology
Zagreb University of Zagreb, Zagreb
Janina Horváth Marko Cvetkovic ´
Department of Geology and Paleontology, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
University of Szeged, Szeged Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Geology
University of Zagreb, Zagreb