[OSGeo-Discuss] GIS applications to off-shore E&P (oil & gas)

[Bruce.Bannerman at dpi.vic.gov.au]

IMO:


Hi Paulo,

> I have been wondering, and haven't found much literature on the
> subject of applying GIS to the E&P chain. I can see it would be
> useful, but can't exactly see where and how.
> 
> Also note, that I am coming from a geology background, now working
> with reservoir geophysics, and that one of my previous jobs was with
> GIS in the Brazilian Geological Survey.
>

By E&P, I'm assuming that you're referring to Exploration and Petroleum?


I've worked in several roles over the years working with Geoscientific 
data particularly as it relates to data management and in Minerals 
Exploration and Mining. In my current role that is also my current focus, 
however there is a looming need for the integration of Petroleum related 
data as well.

I don't claim to be an expert, but I personally think that this is just 
another application of spatial data, albeit with its own unique 
challenges, e.g.:

- As I see it the problem space is essentially 4D in nature, where true 3D 
non-uniform data needs to be modelled, while taking into account changes 
over time to try and understand the factors that led to the formation of 
various 'rocks'. This includes looking at issues like continental drift to 
look for what was potentially adjacent in the past when looking for new 
provinces to explore.

- The amount of data to be managed is challenging. We're looking at in the 
vicinity of 60TB and increasing rapidly.

- There are a number of 'true 3D' modelling tools (NB: for others, I'm not 
talking DEMs here) that allow you to model sub-surface data at a mine 
scale (e.g. Datamine, Vulcan etc), and several others for regional scale 
work (we're using GoCad and GeoModeller). These use a variety of 
approaches from 3D wireframe modelling through to 3D block modelling with 
fluid dynamics. I don't know of any serious 3D data management in a 
database yet, though I understand that Oracle has announced something with 
v.11. As always, a good Spatial Metadata solution is essential.

- 2D spatial data and tools such as GIS and Remote Sensing are very useful 
in getting an understanding of your area of interest. This includes 
traditional data such as topographic, environmental, exploration 
tenements, infrastructure and remote sensing data such as satellite 
imagery, hyperspectral imagery (one use is looking for oil seeps on the 
ocean surface), LIDAR, radar, geophysics etc.... Cross Sections through 
the earth surface may also be considered as 2D data, though they also have 
considerable value in the 3D modelling process.

- Sonar, sesimic etc data is also 'spatial' data.

- There are dedicated Petroleum systems that you may be interested in e.g 
Petrosys, dbmap etc. 

- When it comes to modelling Geoscientific data, the variety and depth of 
inter-relationships of aspatial requirements is probably beyond the 
ability of most (if not all) GIS to manage effectively. We're developing 
an approach for the management of our geoscientific data that has the 
geographic component of spatial data managed in ArcSDE via ArcGIS and the 
aspatial component managed in a dedicated database with an overarching 
WebSphere application controlling attribute maintenance and constructing 
geoscience 'objects' at run time. Our aim is to serve these as OGC 
'complex objects' via WFS using **GeoServer** for use via GIS, 3D app, 
statistics package etc.

You may want to have a look at the work happening with GeoSciML and the 
'One Geology' project for more background on this. See:

https://www.seegrid.csiro.au/twiki/bin/view/CGIModel/GeoSciML

http://www.onegeology.org/


I hope this helps,

Bruce






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