Future of Well-Data Information Systems

Abstract

Well-data files were initiated to assemble historical information on wells drilled for petroleum exploration and exploitation. This concept is changing to include current data combined with the historical file to provide a suitable base for decision-making and technical study of exploration progress and results. Direct data entry terminals operating as part of a time-sharing system permit data to be edited on line by computer programs using complex logic to detect and signal errors in format, invalid codes, missing data elements and to check logical content of the files. Such a system is required to maintain large data files on a current basis.

Efficient file maintenance and data retrieval demand file organization that is standard between geographic areas and compatible between all peripheral files. Retrieval routines that engage the user in dialogue with the file provide optimum information recovery. Remote terminals provide rapid access to large data files maintained and stored by central computer facilities. Economy may be achieved by placing high activity data on direct access devices, and less-used data on more economic storage devices.

Petroleum Information in cooperation with the petroleum industry has developed data files containing information on approximately 600,000 wells drilled in the United States. These files contain the basic items necessary for a competitive exploration program. Summary lines for each well contain data useful in statistical studies. Detailed lines give drilled depths, horizons tested, fluid recovered, regional geologic formation tops, and other data comprising a possible 480 data elements for each well. These files are designed so that additional information can be added such as consistently correlated formation tops, evaluated drillstem test data, core analysis, water analysis and other technical geologic and engineering data. Each well has a controlled latitude and longitude for posting results on maps.

These files provide a complete inventory of available data to aid in evaluation of regions, basins, trends and prospects. The industry is gaining confidence that these well-data files are a complete tally of wells in an area. There is assurance of complete information on each well because the files are a composite of many information sources. The completeness of data lends itself to statistical studies of competitor activity, exploration success, investment analysis of exploration programs and production economics.