Lithofacies identification using support vector machine based on local deep multi-kernel learning

Lithofacies identification is a crucial work in reservoir characterization and modeling. The vast inter-well area can be supplemented by facies identification of seismic data. However, the relationship between lithofacies and seismic information that is affected by many factors is complicated. Machine learning has received extensive attention in recent years, among which support vector machine (SVM) is a potential method for lithofacies classification. Lithofacies classification involves identifying various types of lithofacies and is generally a nonlinear problem, which needs to be solved by means of the kernel function. Multi-kernel learning SVM is one of the main tools for solving the nonlinear problem about multi-classification. However, it is very difficult to determine the kernel function and the parameters, which is restricted by human factors. Besides, its computational efficiency is low. A lithofacies classification method based on local deep multi-kernel learning support vector machine (LDMKL-SVM) that can consider low-dimensional global features and high-dimensional local features is developed. The method can automatically learn parameters of kernel function and SVM to build a relationship between lithofacies and seismic elastic information. The calculation speed will be expedited at no cost with respect to discriminant accuracy for multi-class lithofacies identification. Both the model data test results and the field data application results certify advantages of the method. This contribution offers an effective method for lithofacies recognition and reservoir prediction by using SVM.