Geophysics Special Interest Group (SIG) Paul Maton, Sillimanite Consultants & Energistics Western Europe Region & SIG Meeting Stavanger, Norway 17 June, 2008

Presentation Outline Background to Geophysics SIG Business Case Some Visions Current Approach and Plan Conclusions

Information Management CustomerProvider Geophysical Standards: Background Data Acquisition Planning & Design Data Processing Interpretation & Modelling Standards for Content and Format are needed for effective communications All branches of Geophysics involve iterative processes, - requiring communication within and between them

Geophysical Digital Data Standards & Timeline Years SEG-P1,2,3 (1983) SEG-D Seismic Acquisition Location Data SEG-A,-B,-C Seismic Processing Seismic Interpretation UKOOA-P1/84UKOOA-P1/90 UKOOA-P2/91 UKOOA-P2/94 SEG-C SEG-Y SEG-D r1 SEG-D r2 SEG-D r2.1 SEG-Y r1 SEG-D r3 SEG-SPS SEG-SPS r2.1 SEG-Rode Outputs from EPSG Geodetic Parameter Set Note: SEG has published over 50 standards. Only the more used data standards are shown here. See for the full list.

Indian Background to Geophysics SIG 1998 – 2004 –ONGC’s EPINET Data Management Project –Lessons learned getting ~50 years of E&P data under management –It is not just about getting data into databases Data are worth little without supporting data, integrity, and quality assurance 2005 ONGC presented –case for standards across Geophysical API activities cycle The lack of standards and best practices can impede the use of geophysical techniques, thereby reducing the value of those techniques to the organisation. –Vision of multi-regional, global E&P standards body Reiterated in 2006, and refined in 2007

Objectives of the Geophysics SIG As a representative of the community of creators and users of geophysical data and information –To identify needs and requirements for open standards and improved work practices –To collaboratively deliver, promote and deploy the standards and work practices across the life cycle of geophysical information

Drivers for Geophysical Standards Increasing number of uses of Geophysics –More Exploration in mature and immature regions –Applications in Field Development –Applications in Smart Fields Optimising use of current techniques Enabling use of new techniques and technologies, in both seismic and information domains Increasing Data Volumes to be managed Various proprietary ‘solutions’ already proliferating All of which aim to get the job done faster, better, with reduced cost, risk and uncertainty.

Initial Situation A list of >60 Opportunities (areas for Improvement) from ONGC and other Indian E&P Players –These are from across the ‘API’ (Acquisition, Processing, Interpretation) life cycle of geophysical data –They probably satisfy the 80:20 rule: 80% of the higher value opportunities are already identified –Companies joining in the future must be able to supplement the opportunity list if they add value –Some of these opportunities are being used to: Evolve and test our assessment process Promote and sell participation globally, beyond India

Visions It is possible to envisage a spectrum of targets –From vocabularies for (SEG-format) Header or Trailers, –To loose coupled work-flow integration, possibly web- based Our guiding lights must include –Providing real Business Value to users and customers of Geophysics –Establishing and adhering to relevant criteria on which to base our selections –Providing specifications that can evolve to accommodate interoperability and technological change over at least one decade –Plan to produce, pilot and test a few initial proposals

Assessment Criteria Impact indicators –Number of API processes affected –Inaccuracy, uncertainty, risk, –Loss of time Scale: hours, days, weeks Value range: 1 – 8 or 10 –Loss of data and/or metadata –Quantity of impaired data Tasks needing Effort –Specifying standard or improved work practice –Implementing standard etc –Deploying and promoting standard etc Impact or Value Hi Low Effort Low

Assessment Summary - 1 Geophysical Activity Number of Opportunities Cumulative average delays (days) Acquisition2632 Positioning1419 Processing116 Interpretation48 Data Management1218 Total – all activities6783

Assessment Summary - 2

Additional Approaches Collaboration with other Geophysical Standards Setting Organisations: –We will maintain awareness of and leverage existing and concurrent efforts by SEG, OGP, CSEG, OGC and others Focus on data transfer by XML messages loosely coupled via interfaces with existing applications –We are aware of the perceived threat to existing software assets –This approach is proving successful in near-real-time drilling (WITSML) and production optimisation (PRODML)PRODML Oilfield applications from Weatherford, Schlumberger, Kongsberg etc. are interoperating with Process Control apps from Invensys, OSISoft, AspenTech etc.

Deliverables Data exchange standards –Usages conformant with SEG specifications –Vocabularies of equipment items and configurations, version control, process history, etc left for User specification in SEG-D Revision 3 –Data types not covered by SEG; e.g. Velocity Work practice specifications –Documented descriptions of improved work practices, in natural language and possibly an IT (UML or other?) model form At high and medium level, enabling adaptation as appropriate E.g. accommodate different practices for shooting new data c.f. acquiring spec data, or via trades or mergers

Geophysics SIG: 2008 – 2009 Outline Plan Years 2007 Q4Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Activity 2008 Indian Membership Assess Opportunities Produce Proposal International Membership Velocity Exchange Team Seismic Headers Team Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Review, revise plan Execute revised plan 2009

Geophysics SIG: Road Map for 2008 Assessment Work Group report and proposal is accepted by Energistics –Proposes work on usage of SEG-D revision 3 to improve integration of seismic and positioning data in 2H2008 Pause Seismic Headers and Velocity draft specifications –Fit-for-use ‘Indian’ SEG-Y header definition & Velocity exchange format Expand participation internationally –Oil companies, Seismic Co.’s, Regulatory Agencies –Work in full awareness of SEG Technical Standards Committee Set up SEG-D3 Usage Work Group –Define objectives and use cases –Obtain resources, produce and test pilot implementation(s) –Promote, deploy and show benefit from improved work practices and standards Plan 2009 activities

Road Map for 2009 and beyond Continue approaches and activities as determined by business needs and support –Review opportunity list and plan periodically –Select 2 or 3 Opportunities for development, piloting and deployment each year

Conclusions The assessment indicates that significant opportunities exist in many organisations to reduce cycle-time to making business decisions based on geophysical information Active SIG membership is now being promoted to international E&P and Service companies We have a good list of opportunities for improvements, many leveraging SEG standards Requirements for Velocity data and ONGC usage of SEG-Y headers are to be completed in June 2008 SEG is being kept aware of these activities

Further Energistics web site Geophysics SIG pages – > Communities > Geophysics SIGwww.Energistics.org Public pages open to all Private pages open to Geophysics SIG members and Energistics sustaining members Events pages – > Eventswww.Energistics.org 2007 Events: –Geophysics SIG Assessment Workgroup meetings in Mumbai, 28 and 29 November 2008 Events: –Energistics S. Asia Regional meeting, SPG conference, and Geophysics SIG meetings, all in Hyderabad, January

Thank You Questions, please? Contact: Paul Maton, Principal Consultant, Energistics