Tetrahedral mesh generation can be used as a dynamic volume representation that can fully capture the complexity of a geological model and be adapted locally or globally to problems. It allows fine-grained control of mesh anisotropy and heterogeneity. An unstructured mesh generation robustness test was performed on input data containing 532 random fractures and 3 faults, with random angles and intersections and no preprocessing, resulting in a mesh of around 300k high-quality elements representing all fractures as triangular facets integrated into the final mesh.

1. Tetrahedral mesh generation
Robustness test
Schlumberger public 1

2. Behind the scene – Tetrahedral Mesh Generation
• Maybe the only volume representation that can:
 Be used as a support for dynamic computations/processings
 Capture the full complexity of a geological model
 Be easily locally/globally adapted to a given problem
Schlumberger public
2

3. Behind the scene – Tetrahedral Mesh Generation
Schlumberger public
Fine grained control of
mesh anisotropy and
heterogeneity
3

4. Behind the scene – Tetrahedral Mesh Generation
Unstructured mesh
Input data
generation robustness test
Schlumberger public
532 random
fractures, 3 faults
4

5. Behind the scene – Tetrahedral Mesh Generation
Random angles,
random intersections Input data
Schlumberger public
No preprocessing of input data
5

6. Behind the scene – Tetrahedral Mesh Generation
Unstructured mesh construction
Schlumberger public
~300k
elements
A large majority of elements have a nice shape/aspect ratio
6

7. Behind the scene – Tetrahedral Mesh Generation
[Solid slice through the mesh] Unstructured mesh construction
Schlumberger public
All fractures are represented by triangular facets in the mesh 7

8. Behind the scene – Tetrahedral Mesh Generation
Unstructured mesh construction
Schlumberger public
Integrating fauted horizon surfaces into the mesh 8

9. Behind the scene – Tetrahedral Mesh Generation
[Upper layer hidden (transparent)]
Schlumberger public
Tetrahedral mesh containing fractures, faults and horizons 9