Utilization of adaptive neuro-fuzzy interference system and functional network in prediction of total organic carbon content

This paper presents the application of two artificial intelligence (AI) approaches in the prediction of total organic carbon content (TOC) in Devonian Duvernay shale. To develop and test the models, around 1250 data points from three wells were used. Each point comprises TOC value with corresponding spectral and conventional well logs. The tested AI techniques are adaptive neuro-fuzzy interference system (ANFIS) and functional network (FN) which their predictions are compared to existing empirical correlations. Out of these two methods, ANFIS yielded the best outcomes with 0.98, 0.90, and 0.95 correlation coefficients (R) in training, testing, and validation respectively, and the average errors ranged between 7 and 18%. In contrast, the empirical correlations resulted in R values less than 0.85 and average errors greater than 20%. Out of eight inputs, gamma ray was found to have the most significant impact on TOC prediction. In comparison to the experimental procedures, AI-based models produces continuous TOC profiles with good prediction accuracy. The intelligent models are developed from preexisting data which saves time and costs. Article highlights In contrast to existing empirical correlation, the AI-based models yielded more accurate TOC predictions. Out of the two AI methods used in this article, ANFIS generated the best estimations in all datasets that have been tested. The reported outcomes show the reliability of the presented models to determine TOC for Devonian shale.