<br><font size=2><tt>IMO:</tt></font>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>Hi Paulo,</tt></font>
<br><font size=2><tt><br>
> I have been wondering, and haven't found much literature on the<br>
> subject of applying GIS to the E&P chain. I can see it would be<br>
> useful, but can't exactly see where and how.<br>
> <br>
> Also note, that I am coming from a geology background, now working<br>
> with reservoir geophysics, and that one of my previous jobs was with<br>
> GIS in the Brazilian Geological Survey.<br>
></tt></font>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>By E&P, I'm assuming that you're referring to
Exploration and Petroleum?</tt></font>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>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.</tt></font>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>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.:</tt></font>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>- 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.</tt></font>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>- The amount of data to be managed is challenging.
We're looking at in the vicinity of 60TB and increasing rapidly.</tt></font>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>- 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.</tt></font>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>- 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.</tt></font>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>- Sonar, sesimic etc data is also 'spatial' data.</tt></font>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>- There are dedicated Petroleum systems that you may
be interested in e.g Petrosys, dbmap etc. </tt></font>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>- 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.</tt></font>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>You may want to have a look at the work happening
with GeoSciML and the 'One Geology' project for more background on this.
See:</tt></font>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>https://www.seegrid.csiro.au/twiki/bin/view/CGIModel/GeoSciML</tt></font>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>http://www.onegeology.org/</tt></font>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>I hope this helps,</tt></font>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>Bruce</tt></font>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt><br>
</tt></font>
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