High-End Visualization in Geoscience and Training

Czernuszenko, Marek K.¹ (1) ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, Houston, TX

For the past decade the usage of high-end visualization systems at ExxonMobil and other companies has grown significantly. These systems span a wide range of configurations starting with a basic workroom system to curved screens and totally immersive multi-wall displays. These systems use a variety of projection solutions, computer hardware and software.

The immersive systems are driven by a UNIX supercomputer or by a PC graphics cluster. Custom software solutions are often needed to support head and wand tracking. The user wears passive or active stereo glasses to experience the data in 3D.

These visualization systems open the possibility of virtual field trips for geoscientists.

The participants experience 3D models of outcrops captured with LIDAR scans and digital photography. Students are able to “fly” quickly to a desirable location, which might be difficult, dangerous or costly to access in real world. Additional data like interpretation, geologic model, well logs and simulation results can also be integrated to aid learning. These immersive visualization systems also allow participants to view digital elevation models, walk through virtual facility or look at subsurface data.