Total organic carbon content logging prediction based on machine learning: A brief review

The total organic carbon content usually determines the hydrocarbon generation potential of a formation. A higher total organic carbon content often corresponds to a greater possibility of generating large amounts of oil or gas. Hence, accurately calculating the total organic carbon content in a formation is very important. Present research is focused on precisely calculating the total organic carbon content based on machine learning. At present, many machine learning methods, including backpropagation neural networks, support vector regression, random forests, extreme learning machines, and deep learning, are employed to evaluate the total organic carbon content. However, the principles and perspectives of various machine learning algorithms are quite different. This paper reviews the application of various machine learning algorithms to deal with total organic carbon content evaluation problems. Of various machine learning algorithms used for TOC content predication, two algorithms, the backpropagation neural network and support vector regression are the most commonly used, and the backpropagation neural network is sometimes combined with many other algorithms to achieve better results. Additionally, combining multiple algorithms or using deep learning to increase the number of network layers can further improve the total organic carbon content prediction. The prediction by backpropagation neural network may be better than that by support vector regression; nevertheless, using any type of machine learning algorithm improves the total organic carbon content prediction in a given research block. According to some published literature, the determination coefficient (R2) can be increased by up to 0.46 after using machine learning. Deep learning algorithms may be the next breakthrough direction that can significantly improve the prediction of the total organic carbon content. Evaluating the total organic carbon content based on machine learning is of great significance.