2005 Petroleum User Group Conference

Presentations

2005 Petroleum User Group Conference

The 2005 Petroleum User Group Conference Proceedings is a compilation of professional abstracts and presentations delivered March 7–9, 2005, in Houston, Texas. Esri users contributed a fundamental part to the conference by submitting and presenting their presentations on a diverse collection of GIS applications. The proceeds promote GIS application by stimulating users to share their experiences and knowledge.

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Data Management (DMT)

Creating a Geologic Data Set of the Caribbean Using ArcGIS: Presenter(s): Christopher French, USGS
A geologic data set of the Caribbean region was recently created for use in the U.S. Geological Survey’s World Energy Project. ArcGIS 8.3 and the geodatabase format were found to be effective tools in creating a high-quality and topologically correct data set. This paper is geared toward novice to intermediate ArcGIS users who would like to know more about the process of creating polygon feature classes in the geodatabase. Issues involved in the process will be discussed in some detail, including digitizing of the source maps, establishing topology rules, attributing with coded domains, maintaining quality control, and addressing challenges throughout the process. Please note that this paper was also presented at the 2004 Esri International User Conference.
Document Management and GIS Enables Rapid Decision Making and Planning: Presenter(s): Hugh Ritchie and Tiffany Coppendale, Hummingbird
Integrating GIS with Document Management systems offers users a strategic enterprise tool. By linking an ArcIMS Map to one or many supporting documents, such as engineering drawings or construction contracts, creates faster access to information, improves the decision-making process between departments, eliminates redundancy of information, and since users are always working on the most current versions of the files, creates a higher level of confidence in the
Feeding Esri’s ArcGIS With Query Tool Extensions at Anadarko Canada: Presenter(s): John Gillat, Anadarko Canada, and Chuck Smith, Divestco Inc.
Oil and gas information is stored in a vast number of public and proprietary databases usually managed in heterogeneous database formats outside of the realm of ArcSDE. To integrate these data sources for presentation in ArcGIS by technology wary users, an intermediate interface was designed and built for use in the Canadian marketplace that combined ease of use with sophisticated query capability. Flexibility in modeling to any data source without programmer involvement required the implementation of a metamodel that provides the rules for navigating these databases. This resulted in powerful data access capabilities combined with the world’s leading GIS technology to assist Anadarko Canada in identifying oil and gas opportunities through the integration of geological and reservoir data, including well log data seismic data, pipelines, and land leases.
GIS and G&G Database Synchronization: Presenter(s): Ananta Bodhitama, PT CPI/ChevronTexaco Indonesia Business Unit
The Geological and Geophysical (G&G) master database is a corporatewide master database that stores up-to-date and validated G&G data from project databases located in different sites. ChevronTexaco Indonesia Business Unit uses Finder as its G&G master database and ArcSDE as its GIS database. Finder keeps important subsurface information that we want available for GIS applications. Having both subsurface and the already existing surface information available in one place is very useful in the decision making process. We have successfully developed a tool to synchronize data from Finder to ArcSDE. The synchronization process takes into account important subsurface information such as well location, well path, seismic navigation, seismic line, and seismic fault. The synchronization process runs very quickly and is set to run periodically on a daily basis to ensure up-to-date consistency with the new entry in Finder.
GIS as a Data Integration Platform: Presenter(s): Malcolm Wardlaw, R7 Solutions
For decades, energy companies have invested in digital databases resulting in a plethora of disconnected systems, each with its own user interface, data model, and system interfaces. Users are faced not only with a shortage of data or information but with a lack of knowledge of what information is available and how to access it. Combining Esri ArcIMS and ArcSDE with the extensible framework of XML Web services and integrated .NET logic controllers, R7 developed a data integration platform for tying documents, databases, and maps together in a single place. Thus, the organization leverages its existing knowledge investment by maintaining and updating data as is. GIS is used as the common denominator and provides an intuitive context for retrieving data while helping organizations avoid costly custom integration projects.
Leveraging GIS Technology to Analyze Data Quality: Presenter(s): Vidar Andresen, InnerLogix
The petroleum industry regularly deals with a large amount of data. The quality of this data spans the entire range from unusable to excellent. Low-quality data does not only hamper the use of the data, but it also represents large risks in terms of both results and safety. With its roots in six sigma and the DMAIC process, this paper will show how data quality can be measured and how GIS technology is an effective tool in the implementation of the DMAIC process.

Data Models (DMS)

Solving Geodatabase Schema Management Challenges: Presenter(s): Ron Brush, New Century Software, Inc.
This presentation will address the emerging challenge of geodatabase schema management for enterprise GIS. A database schema is the overall structure of the database tables that store information. This presentation will focus on three areas: new schema management challenges, principles to be applied, and strategies for solutions. Challenge topics will include managing changing versions of data models over time and a comparison of audit history, staging, archival, data warehouse, and basemap schemas. Sarbanes–Oxley compliance as well as managing vendor-provided data structures and software, will also be discussed. While technically oriented, this presentation will provide real-world examples and strategies that will help operators better manage the databases that manage their data.
The Challenge of Enterprise Wide Spatial Data Management: Presenter(s): Jon Stigant, Devon Energy Corporation
GIS projects and applications that user layer mapping (interpretation systems) abound in many operators’ shops. However, good coordination and management of GIS activities as an enterprise wide activity is an elusive and difficult target. Low level training in geodetic principles, distributed data sources and computer applications, and a variety of quality in both, can produce some serious mismatching of data upon which many major and expensive decisions are made, as well as contributing to some serious errors in implementation. This paper makes a business case for strong corporate policies and guidelines, building on the sciences of geodesy and cartography, the management of data loading, proposing and drilling prospects, developing reliable plans for development and production, and encouraging cooperation with data and software vendors in improving the ‘spatial’ quality of their products.

Enterprise Search (ENS)

A New Approach to Information Discovery: Presenter(s): Betsy Palkowsky, Metacarta
The energy industry has made large investments in the use of new technologies, GIS, and search and document management to better utilize semistructured and unstructured information. While these technologies address many needs, they fall short of pulling the information together in a common way. The energy industry requires access to data, information, and knowledge located across the virtual organization. A mechanism is needed that enables data search and visual data fusion to increase the value of the corporate investment. Geographic text search provides a new approach to information discovery. Knowing as much as possible about geographic locations is essential to an energy company’s economic viability. Although 70 percent of all documents refer to locations, until recently there has been no way to take full advantage of this geographically rich information. Fusing geographic text search with existing technologies is a key component to successfully finding what an organization knows and from where they know it.
ArcGIS 9: Experiences From a Global Enterprise Rollout: Presenter(s): Thierry Gregorius, Shell International Exploration & Production
As recently announced in the media, Shell has signed a groundbreaking agreement with Esri to gain access to a global enterprise license. This presentation will share experiences from the latest ArcGIS 9 rollout, a push installation in Shell’s standardized IT environment serving a large user base across six continents. The author will discuss highlights and challenges, and topics such as system architecture, data storage, application deployment, performance, support model, end user feedback, future plans, and any workarounds to technical issues encountered. The presentation will end with an open floor Q&A to enable the exchange of ArcGIS 9 rollout experiences so that any learning points can be shared and related requirements fed back to the PUG list for consideration in future ArcGIS releases.

Environmental (ENV)

GIS for Oil Spill Prevention and Response: Presenter(s): Devon Humphrey, Texas A&M University
GIS can be a powerful integrating technology for emergency responders during actual oil spills or routine preparedness drills. This session will demonstrate how ArcGIS can be used within the Emergency Operations Center or Incident Command Center for a more informed and intelligent response. This presentation will showcase key emerging technologies that can be combined with GIS for modern oil spill prevention and response including the use of realtime weather, GPS mapping and tracking, and digital photo/video mapping for damage assessment and documentation. The National Spill Control School at Texas A&M University has been offering professional education classes for oil spill responders since the school's establishment by the U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA90). GIS for Emergency Response classes have been included in the catalog of courses since 1994. These hands-on classes are attended by those in the facilities management, pipeline, regulatory, shipping, and spill response communities.

Exploration (EXP)

Raster Data Enhancement and Tectonic Element Interpretation in ArcMap: Presenter(s): Vsevolod Egorov, Fugro Roberston Inc.
ArcMap Spatial Analyst provides quick but powerful tools for the geoscientist. Digital elevation models and a variety of geophysical data are utilized in raster grid format. ArcMap Spatial Analyst allows us to enhance this data and map lineament features (e.g., faults, dykes, and drainage patterns), which are necessary components of the tectonic interpretation. The interpreted tectonic elements are output in vector format (e.g., shapefiles) and may be incorporated in many GIS products. This methodology may be applied to both topographic and geophysical (gravity, magnetic, and seismic) data. This data complement each other and enable a more complete interpretation. This presentation will cover an easy-to-implement approach to enhance raster grid data in an ArcMap environment and the subsequent mapping of geomorphologic and geologic features. The examples are from the oil and gas exploration areas of North America, Africa, and the Far East.

Land (LND)

Effective Use of Arc9 in Upstream Land Management: Presenter(s): Veer Surapaneni, P2 Energy Solutions
Effective Use of Arc 9 in Upstream Land Management will discuss simple and effective ways to use Arc 9 in upstream land management operations. Typical GIS requirements in land management include, managing spatial data across large geographic areas and multiple locations, instant access to vector and raster data such as land grid, culture, well locations, USGS topos, and DOQQs; sharing data between departments; and spatial analysis — company and competitor land asset analysis, analysis based on working interest, expiration and so forth.

Pipeline (PIP)

Criteria for Selecting Rule-Based, Geospatial Tools: Presenter(s): Jennifer Flax, Petris Technology
Currently, off-the-shelf GIS software does not perform all geospatial analyses required by its users, thereby fostering the need for development of customized, rule-based applications. Rule-based tools tend to reduce the propensity for human error, alleviate the necessity for conducting repetitive tasks, and apply a known set of processing procedures. A user is, therefore, required to either take advantage of the developer’s toolkit or seek vendors who have developed tools to satisfy the rule-based processing of interest. A geospatial tool achieves the desired result using a specified rule base, has an intuitive user interface has a standard interchange output format, is compatible with your GIS platform, and is from a vendor with whom you have confidence. Each of these criteria will be applied to selected, available software applications. The result of reviewing various tools using these criteria is a set of recommendations that users can follow to select geospatial, analytical tools.
Pipeline Data Management in Support of Risk and Integrity Assessment: Presenter(s): Shawn Hansson, Shell Pipeline Company, and Jim Roberts, GeoFields Inc.
Regulations and operator’s programs to improve pipeline safety continue to dictate the necessity for effective integrity data management. While the development and utilization of an enterprise GIS has enabled compliance, there oftentimes can remain a gap in the sharing of the resulting knowledge between those persons executing different elements of an IMP. This paper will describe Shell Pipeline Company's experiences and lessons learned in developing an information system that supports pipeline integrity management, including data integration and analysis, for both risk and integrity assessment.
The Digital Pipeline — From the Dirt to the Desktop: Presenter(s): Robert Maggio, Petris Technology, Inc.
In 2002–2003, geospatial tools were developed to perform tasks driven by pipeline centerline mapping and regulatory compliance, while in 2004, pipeline databases were the task of the day. In 2005, the trend will be the development of the digital pipeline through the integration of the GIS with other systems such as asset management, accounting, maintenance, document management, and work order processing. The work flow process may involve field data acquisition of pipeline construction and maintenance information using handheld systems equipped with GPS and GIS data sets. This work flow will facilitate the automated maintenance of an enterprise GIS by allowing field personnel to “check out” a portion of the GIS, proceed to the field, conduct maintenance patrols, update the GIS, and generate work orders automatically. The tools, the technology, and the vision will be reviewed and examples of the components will be presented that will bring the digital pipeline to the computer desktop.

Pipeline Remote Sensing (PRS)

GIS Tools for Airborne Natural Gas Leak Detection: Presenter(s): Darryl Murdock, ITT Industries
There are more than 300,000 miles of natural gas transmission lines in the United States requiring annual leak inspection. Major limitations of existing ground-based leak inspection systems include lack of GIS integration, slow inspection speed, limited coverage, and the inability to traverse difficult terrain. ITT Industries has developed an airborne system to improve pipeline inspections. This system remotely detects and precisely geolocates leaks. Custom tools built on ArcGIS expedite flight planning, laser targeting, and data analysis. The resulting data sets are combined with aerial imagery and other GIS data to create a comprehensive leak detection report. As part of system development, flight tests were conducted over simulated and actual pipeline leaks in New York and Wyoming including participation in a DOE- and DOT- sponsored Field Test of Remote Sensor Gas Leak Detection Systems. An overview of ArcGIS use during planning, collection and analysis, and a review of preliminary flight testing will be presented.

Remote Sensing (RMS)

A New Era in Remote Sensing and Customer Value: Presenter(s): Bud Pope, Digitalglobe
The presentation will focus on breaking down the barriers for everyday use of remote sensing data. Examples of the changes in resolution available and technology delivery mechanisms will be reviewed. Oil field examples that are practical to everyday use will be shown. Integration with other oil field data sets using Esri viewing tools will demonstrate some of the key values of integrating surface imagery with subsurface data.

Seismic (SEM)

An Enterprise GIS System for Ordering Nonexclusive Survey Data: Presenter(s): Anastasia Aourik, Petris Technology, and Steven A. Fishburn, CGG Americas, Inc.
CGG has aggressively expanded its marine seismic business, thus rapidly expanding its nonexclusive survey data libraries. The management of these data libraries, coupled with increased sales, has led Petris to the development of an e-business GIS solution to improve the integrity of client orders and diminish order processing time. Marine data acquisition generates UKOOA files. Petris developed a Seismic Data Loader to load raw and bin UKOOA data into a distributed DBMS utilizing Oracle Spatial with ArcSDE. The enterprise GIS extends Esri ArcIMS by providing custom geoediting tools to create and manage order (AOI) polygons in robust ways that mirror the way seismic data managers generate NES orders for clients. Order processing computes the set of seismic media to be checked out, copied, and delivered to the customer.
Assessing the Value of an Integrated GIS Seismic Management System: Presenter(s): Scott McCulloch, TGS Nopec
TGS’ seismic order entry system is an enterprise-level database and application that plays a foundational role in the company’s business. Millions of seismic lines, associated products and client entitlements are managed down to the nearest shot point. The detailed user interface combines ASP .NET forms with customized access to ArcIMS. A Web service containing various SDE API calls is used to create and manipulate spatial features throughout the data order process. Intricate and specific application of spatial analysis has led to significant productivity gains for many internal user groups. This is a multifaceted application that links many business processes. An invoicing module bridges the spatial and financial domain of each order. Detailed order information is integrated with the order fulfillment system for delivery to the customer. Access to data based on spatial query and analysis is ultimately delivered through automated reporting mechanisms creating a responsive, integrated approach to seismic data management.
Developing a Seismic Viewer Extension for ArcMap: Presenter(s): Chris Morgan, Lynx Information Systems Ltd.
Seismic data is usually displayed within specialist interpretive systems, which have limited GIS capabilities, and it is useful to be able to integrate seismic data with the full range of GIS data available for display through ArcMap. This presentation will discuss how such a seismic viewer was created, including the use of an existing Pascal code base with various software components such as abstract viewer and parameter editor classes, and the development of an ArcMap extension using Esri ArcObjects and the Borland Delphi programming environment. A live demonstration of the viewer extension will illustrate the use of both measured polylines and polyline route events to track displayed shot point ranges as well as an alternative interface for creating shot point basemaps using hatching annotation in ArcMap 8.3 and 9.
Leveraging GIS Technology to Analyze Data Quality: Presenter(s): Vidar Andresen, InnerLogix
The petroleum industry regularly deals with a large amount of data. The quality of this data spans the entire range from unusable to excellent. Low-quality data does not only hamper the use of the data, but it also represents large risks in terms of both results and safety. With its roots in six sigma and the DMAIC process, this paper will show how data quality can be measured and how GIS technology is an effective tool in the implementation of the DMAIC process.
LiDAR Applications in Seismic Acquisition and Processing: Presenter(s): Mark Wagaman, Veritas
With its ability to provide accurate land surface elevations, the LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) method is becoming widely utilized in various industries. Applications of LiDAR within the seismic exploration industry include topographic relief maps, slope calculations, modeling of radio transmission and reception characteristics, and GPS elevation substitution. Effectively utilizing the LiDAR data, which is a high-resolution DEM (Digital Elevation Model), requires the use of robust GIS technology. On a seismic project located in the Green River Basin of Wyoming, the use of LiDAR resulted in extensive operational cost savings and improvements in data quality. In many environments, LiDAR can make a significant contribution toward conducting a successful seismic program.
Seismic Navigation Application (SNAP): Presenter(s): Scott Sitzman, ConocoPhillips
ConocoPhillips has designed and implemented seismic navigational database management software based on ArcGIS Desktop Software. This software has been deployed and is being used by multiple business units around the world. This software enables COP to provide a common method managing the navigational database. Unlike many of the products available, SNAP can be configured to work directly with different physical records management software. The presentation will describe the process of customizing ArcGIS Desktop to a specific data management task.

Technology, Web (TEW)

ArcMap Extensions calling Web Services: Presenter(s): Tor Nielsen, IHS Energy
Web services are becoming key components in today’s enterprise IT solutions. Esri embraced Web services with the ArcIMS product offering; however, Esri’s suite of products does not provide easy links to third party Web services. We will discuss the need for and the methods of building extensions to Esri’s products that access third party Web services and present examples based on real-world implementations of an ArcMap 8 extension. These Esri extensions are built using C# and .NET technology and access a set of enterprise Web services that include report, graph, query and export services.
Exposing the Power of ArcGIS Server Through Web Services: Presenter(s): Brad Taggart, petroWEB, Inc.
Esri’s new ArcGIS Server provides a wealth of server-based GIS functionality, and because it is server-based, it can be easily exposed through a mix of thin/thick clients to a wide range of distributed users including those who do not have a desktop GIS. Utilizing Web services and centralizing geoprocessing of GIS data with ArcGIS Server, organizations can now leverage the investment in the geodatabase across the enterprise while significantly reducing administrative costs. Examples of implementations include adding GIS capabilities to non-GIS applications, data conversion tasks requiring geoprocessing, and utilizing GIS data and functionality from an external server in a GIS application.