RockDNet: Deep Learning Approach for Lithology Classification

Analyzing rock and underground layers is known as drill core lithology. The extracted core sample helps not only in exploring the core properties but also reveals the lithology of the entire surrounding area. Automating rock identification from drill cuttings is a key element for efficient reservoir characterization, replacing the current subjective and time-consuming manual process. The recent advancements in computer hardware and deep learning technology have enabled the automatic classification of various applications, and lithology is not an exception. This work aims to design an automated method for rock image classification using deep learning technologies. A novel CNN (Convolution Neural Network) is proposed for lithology classification in addition to thorough comparison with benchmark CNN models. The proposed CNN model has the advantageous of having very low complexity while maintaining high accuracy. Experimental results on rock mages taken from the “digitalrocksportal” database demonstrate the ability of the proposed method to classify three classes, carbonate, sandstone and shale rocks, with high accuracy, and comparisons with related work demonstrated the efficiency of the proposed model, with more than 98% saving in parameters.