Leveraging Hidden Markov Model with Window Filtering Technique for Unsupervised Facies Detection in Well Logs

Abstract Facies identification from basic well logs is essential for optimizing well operation or constructing reservoir model. The sequential nature of well log data makes the Hidden Markov Model (HMM) a suitable unsupervised machine learning approach for clustering. This study investigates the effectiveness of HMM combined with window filtering for unsupervised facies detection and compares its performance with the widely used K-Means Clustering (KMC) method. Synthetic gamma ray (GR), density (DEN), and neutron (NEU) logs, along with geologist-guided facies in a channel depositional environment, were used as input data. HMM identifies facies by modeling hidden geological states based on sequential well log data. Transition probabilities capture facies relationship across depths. A mode-based moving window filter smoothed the initial results by reducing fluctuations, while preserving facies boundaries. Validation was performed by comparing the results with reference facies using accuracy, adjusted rand index (ARI), normalized mutual information (NMI), and visual assessment. Both HMM and KMC clustering revealed thin non-geological facies, primarily at the facies boundaries. In the middle of facies, HMM mitigated thin facies more effectively than KMC. These thin facies arose from fluctuations in the well logs. Visually, HMM provided more geologically realistic results, despite KMC sometimes showed slightly better performance metrics. To address thin artificial facies, a moving window filter was applied. This slightly improved clustering performance metrics but significantly enhanced geological consistency by removing most artificial facies at boundaries or within facies, particularly in the smoothed HMM. Smoothed HMM achieved slightly better or comparable accuracy and NMI to smoothed KMC. However, minor thin facies persisted in both methods, more notably in KMC, due to significant well log fluctuations. The filter effectively smoothed the facies by reducing variations in thin facies across small depth intervals, ultimately enhancing the facies continuity. This improved facies distribution coherency with geological expectation, particularly for the smoothed HMM. HMM with post-processing plays a crucial role in identifying geologically consistent facies while maintaining or slightly improving clustering performance metrics. Unsupervised machine learning that incorporates sequential information is vital for facies clustering from well log data. The proposed workflow which integrates HMM with window filtering, enhances clustering outcomes by producing more geologically consistent result and more interpretable facies. This approach aids geoscientists in reservoir characterization and modeling, enabling more informed decision-making.