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Gaussian Ray Optimized Volumetric Evaluation Rendering (GROVER) for Visualization of Advanced Oil Recovery--Physical Optics Corporation, 20600 Gramercy Place, Building 100, Torrance, CA 90501-1821; 310-320-3088
Dr. Stephen Kupiec, Principal Investigator
Mr. Gordon Drew, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-98ER82639
Amount: $750,000
The exploration and production of oil and gas relies heavily on three-dimensional seismic datasets. However, determining the actual three-dimensional distribution of both the oil and the surrounding geology requires a true volumetric rendering and display of this data. Until now, this has been time consuming and cumbersome. This project will develop the Gaussian Ray Optimized Volumetric Evaluation Rendering (GROVER) system, which combines Gaussian ray-tracing with wavelet splatting to smoothly and progressively render volumes. Inherent in the use of these methods is the ability to smoothly render progressive images of these volumes, ensuring that a 3-D image is always displayed, regardless of how the user moves the viewpoint. This allows for interactive analysis. In Phase I, the basic software algorithm was used to render the familiar Salt and Overthrust datasets, and these results were compared to those of conventional methods in terms of speed and storage requirements. Improvements on the order of one or two orders of magnitude were seen. In Phase II, the basic software algorithm will be optimized for speed and integrated with a custom ASIC-based hardware accelerator. The system will be tightly integrated with 3-D displays and an application level network interface for efficient remote viewing and collaboration. The resulting prototype will be tested to gauge its real world performance.
Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The proposed GROVER system will make exploration for and extraction of oil and gas far more efficient by increasing the precision with which oil is located. The system will also revolutionize the viewing of medical imagery such as CT, MRI, and PET scans and the simulation of fog, clouds, and smoke.