Porosity prediction from well logging data via a hybrid MABC-LSSVM model

Porosity is a key parameter for evaluating reservoir performance, but high-precision prediction is highly challenging in complex shale reservoirs due to the strong heterogeneity of the formation and the highly nonlinear relationship between logging parameters and porosity. Traditional prediction methods based on experience or physical models often have low generalization ability and accuracy. This study proposes a hybrid model (MABC-LSSVM) that combines a modified artificial bee colony (MABC) optimization algorithm with a least squares support vector machine (LSSVM) model. Inertia weights and acceleration coefficients are utilized to change the hyperparameters of the optimization model to achieve high-precision prediction of shale reservoir porosity using data-driven methods. The model inputs include compensating neutron log (CNL), density log (DEN), photoelectric absorption cross-section index (PE), and gamma ray log (GR) parameters. The proposed model is compared with the LSSVM, gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT), and ABC-LSSVM. The results show that the MABC-LSSVM model exhibits the best predictive performance. Its prediction results are highly consistent with the true porosity curve. The coefficient of determination (R2) is 0.93, significantly higher than for all comparison models. The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of combining an intelligent optimization algorithm with the LSSVM model. This approach is reliable for predicting the porosity in complex formations and performing reservoir evaluations in oil and gas exploration and development.