Application of Unconventional Seismic Attributes and Unsupervised Machine Learning for the Identification of Fault and Fracture Network

The identification of small scale faults (SSFs) and fractures provides an improved understanding of geologic structural features and can be exploited for future drilling prospects. Conventional SSF and fracture characterization are challenging and time-consuming. Thus, the current study was conducted with the following aims: (a) to provide an effective way of utilizing the seismic data in the absence of image logs and cores for characterizing SSFs and fractures; (b) to present an unconventional way of data conditioning using geostatistical and structural filtering; (c) to provide an advanced workflow through multi-attributes, neural networks, and ant-colony optimization (ACO) for the recognition of fracture networks; and (d) to identify the fault and fracture orientation parameters within the study area. Initially, a steering cube was generated, and a dip-steered median filter (DSMF), a dip-steered diffusion filter (DSDF), and a fault enhancement filter (FEF) were applied to sharpen the discontinuities. Multiple structural attributes were applied and shortlisted, including dip and curvature attributes, filtered and unfiltered similarity attributes, thinned fault likelihood (TFL), fracture density, and fracture proximity. These shortlisted attributes were computed through unsupervised vector quantization (UVQ) neural networks. The results of the UVQ revealed the orientations, locations, and extensions of fractures in the study area. The ACO proved helpful in identifying the fracture parameters such as fracture length, dip angle, azimuth, and surface area. The adopted workflow also revealed a small scale fault which had an NNW–SSE orientation with minor heave and throw. The implemented workflow of structural interpretation is helpful for the field development of the study area and can be applied worldwide in carbonate, sand, coal, and shale gas fields

Texture and Geochemistry of Scheelites in the Tongshankou Deposit in Daye, Hubei, China: Implication for REE Substitution Mechanism and Multistage W Mineralization Processes

The Tongshankou skarn deposit in the Edong ore district is a typical metasomatic deposit associated with adjacent granodiorite porphyry and carbonate rocks. Using comprehensive microscopic observations, mineralogical and geochemical analysis, scheelite grains in the skarns can be classified into three major types, showing multi-stage mineralization characteristics. In the redox fluid environment, scheelites that occur with garnets usually have affinity to garnets, while in later skarn phases others exist with oxides and sulfides. They can be subdivided by trace elements, such as Nb and Eu, to discuss the detailed ore-forming process. Scheelites have three typical substitution mechanisms including: 2Ca2 + ⇌ REE3 + +Na+ (1); Ca2 + + W6 + ⇌ REE3 + +Nb5+(2); and 3Ca2 + ⇌ 2REE3++ □Ca (□Ca = Ca site vacancy) (3). Plagioclase or various hydrothermal stages can cause Eu anomalies to fluctuate from positive to negative, and these processes can cause particular zonation in W and Mo contents in scheelites. This study highlights the use of texture and geochemistry of scheelites in skarn deposits, depicting the W mineralization processes

Analytical research of artificial intelligent models for machining industry under varying environmental strategies: An industry 4.0 approach

Since the introduction of Industry 4.0, manufacturing industries have adopted smarter automation systems enabling better interconnection amongst various aspects of the production industry. Application of industry 4.0 furnishes better performance and efficiency with improved reliability and robustness. The present research provides a novel framework which takes in consideration the complexity and flexibility of the working environment within the factory premises, previously not explored. Smart systems equipped with sensors and communicators are responsible for monitoring information and detecting malfunctions pre-hand which eventually boosts the system performance. Furthermore, the research explores the concept of predictive maintenance in industry 4.0 setup which apprehends any system failure based on atmospheric related changes. A novel algorithm is explored in this research which takes in consideration multisource diverse dataset based on varying environmental conditions and simultaneously furnishing inputs for predictive maintenance in Industry 4.0 implementation, thereby providing a transparent and effective manufacturing method. The framework for Industry 4.0 is validated and deemed feasible with quantitative comparison with previous prediction models which can further predict any future malfunctions in the industrial machines. The productivity values are validated with models developed with the help of intelligent hybrid prediction techniques such as adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and response surface methodology (RSM). The input parameters considered are atmospheric conditions whereas the required output response is productivity of the machines. Error rates were evaluated lowest error rate for triangular membership functions for both machining models

Phytochemical screening and evaluation of cytotoxic and hypoglycemic properties of Mangifera indica peels

Objective: To investigate the presence of different phytoconstituents in Mangifera indica (M. indica) peel and evaluate its cytotoxicity to Artemia salina and hypoglycemic potential in Swiss albino mice. Methods: The methanolic extract of M. indica peel was used to determine the presence of phytoconstituents. Brine shrimp lethality bioassay method was followed to determine the cytotoxic potential of plant extract. In the case of hypoglycemic activity, oral administration of extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg and standard glibenclamide at 10 mg/kg was done, followed by determining the percentage of reduction of plasma glucose from the initial level. Results: The methanolic extract of M. indica peel showed the presence of flavonoid, saponin, steroid, tannins, terpenoids, glycosides and alkaloids. In brine shrimp lethality bioassay, the LC50 of the extract and standard vincristine sulfate was found to be 2.04 and 0.41 μg/mL, respectively. After 90 and 150 min, the methanolic extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg showed prominent plasma glucose reduction of 13.95%, 22.48% and 14.16%, 26.18% respectively compared to standard glibenclamide showing 14.90% and 20.67% plasma glucose reduction. Conclusions: This current research affirms prominent cytotoxic and moderate hypoglycemic potential of M. indica peel. Further bioactivity guided isolation of phytoconstituents and investigation on higher animals can lead to development of new drug molecules

Sedimentary Facies Controls for Reservoir Quality Prediction of Lower Shihezi Member-1 of the Hangjinqi Area, Ordos Basin

The tight gas reserves in the Hangjinqi area are estimated at 700 × 109 m3. Since the exploration of the Hangjinqi, numerous wells are already drilled. However, the Hangjinqi remains an exploration area and has yet to become a gas field. Identifying a paleo-depositional framework such as braided channels is beneficial for exploration and production companies. Further, braided channels pose drilling risks and must be properly identified prior to drilling. Henceforth, based on the significance of paleochannels, this study is focused on addressing the depositional framework and sedimentary facies of the first member (P2x1) of the lower Shihezi formation (LSF) for reservoir quality prediction. Geological modeling, seismic attributes, and petrophysical modeling using cores, logs, interval velocities, and 3D seismic data are employed. Geological modeling is conducted through structural maps, thickness map, and sand-ratio map, which show that the northeastern region is uplifted compared to northwestern and southern regions. The sand-ratio map showed that sand is accumulated in most of the regions within member-1. Interval velocities are incorporated to calibrate the acoustic impedance differences of mudstone and sandstone lithologies, suggesting that amplitude reflection is reliable and amplitude-dependent seismic attributes can be employed. The Root Mean Square (RMS) attribute confirmed the presence of thick-bedded braided channels. The results of cores and logging also confirmed the presence of braided channels and channel-bars. The test results of wells J34 and J72 shows that the reservoir quality within member-1 of LSF is favorable for gas production within the Hangjinqi area

Neoproterozoic granitoids of northwest Vietnam and their tectonic implications

A combined study of whole-rock geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic data, and zircon U-Pb geochronological and Hf isotopes has been carried out for several Neoproterozoic intrusions, including the Lung Thang, Posen and Sin Quyen in the Phan Si Pan Zone, northwest Vietnam to constrain their age, petrogenesis and tectonic implications. The Lung Thang and Posen intrusions, mainly composed of granodiorite, were formed at 803–777 Ma and are characterized by moderate SiO2 (64.43–66.65 wt.%), and K2O (4.05–4.89 wt.%), with A/CNK and A/NK values of (0.94–1.03) and (1.72–2.11), respectively. They have negative whole-rock εNd(t) (−6.16 to −3.73) and zircon εHf(t) values (−7.9 to −4.1), which suggest that the Lung Thang and Posen intrusions were generated by partial melting of ancient, K-rich crustal rocks. The Sin Quyen intrusion, occurring as dykes, is composed of monzodiorite and was emplaced at 742 ± 3 Ma. The Sin Quyen intrusion has high alkalies (K2O+Na2O = 7.42–7.47 wt.%), and low MgO (Nd(t) and zircon εHf(t) values are −6.15 to −5.92 and −5.8 to + 8, respectively. These geochemical characteristics suggest that the Sin Quyen intrusion was produced by the partial melting of ancient crustal sources mingled with mantle-derived components. Geochemically, the Lung Thang, Posen and Sin Quyen intrusions are medium- to high-K, calc-alkaline in nature and show enrichment in LILE (Th, U, K, Rb) and LREE, and strong negative anomalies of Nb, Ta, and Ti. Such geochemical characteristics suggest that they formed in a subduction-related tectonic environment. The geochronological and geochemical correlation of these intrusions with those along the southwestern margin of the Yangtze Block in South China suggests that the Phan Si Pan zone in northwestern Vietnam is a constituent of the SW Yangtze Block. Additionally, these intrusions show a significant correlation with other contemporaneous magmatic rocks in the northeast Indochina Block, Lhasa Block, the northwestern margin of Greater India as well as those in Seychelles and northern Madagascar. This correlation suggests a similar history and synchronous episode of crustal growth/recycling in an Andean-type arc system along the western and northern margin of the Rodinia supercontinent during the Neoproterozoic.</p