Geophysical SIG Towards reduced cycle time In Geophysical Work Processes

Objective Improved standards for Acquisition Processing and Interpretation (API) data Aimed towards reduced work cycle time in Acquisition, Processing and Interpretation Better informed and quicker business decisions based on geophysics. Geophysical Standards

Opportunities for Standards ONGC internally assessed the data standards and its impact on work processes through a Seismic Task Force. Contributed to Energistics Geophysical Assessment work study through a list of over 60 data items as opportunities for data standards and work processes. A gist of the items presented here along with possible strategy for addressing it.

Geophysical ActivityNumber of Opportunities Cumulative average delays (days) Acquisition2632 Positioning1419 Processing116 Interpretation48 Data Management1218 Total – all activities6783 Energistics Study on Delays

Opportunities in Acquisition Identity of surveys and lines Local Nomenclature standards but consistent across API Unique identification of seismic data sets and surveys Reduction of errors arising from manual data entry. Consistent results from search and inspection of seismic data inventories Data content: Requirements should be defined for various information that may be encoded within identifiers, such as operator and contractor names, survey area, geologic basin, year acquired, etc.

Opportunities in Acquisition Recording of Unstructured reports Benefits of survey summary and observer's report Quality of Meta data on seismic recording from original source and avoiding errors of subsequent manual entry. On-site, near real-time integration and validation of seismic and observer logs about dead traces, surface conditions, shot offsets, uphole times, repeat shots etc. Reduce or eliminate post-event error prone reconciliation of seismic and positioning data

Opportunities in Acquisition Requirements for logistics data Benefits from meteorological and weather data : Data Content: Tidal data, Surface temperature and pressure, wind speed and direction, wave height etc Clearer evaluation of compliance with specified operating conditions. Increased consistency and quality of the data. Maritime, fisheries and other meteorological reporting protocols can be referred. Any Existing data format standards?.

Opportunities in Acquisition Improved SEG standards in Acquisition Data items include: Equipment descriptions, CRS descriptions, Source-receiver geometry, Integration of positioning data with seismic trace data, Source Signatures, etc Benefits: Increased consistency and quality of the data. Compare quality and characteristics of different vintages of data Reduced manual data entry and associated errors Data Formats: Requires active association with SEG to improve/evolve data formats and standards.

Opportunities in Processing Velocity standards and XML based data exchange Benefits: Routine use of a standard velocity format (along with interfaces between the standard and the internal proprietary application model representations) would reduce or eliminate the costs of the following:- creating and maintaining the reformatting software, delays in ascertaining and applying the needed transformations, and would enhance management and preservation for re-use of velocity data in the long term.

Opportunities in Processing Velocity data Content: A universal format for velocity data should contain: Seismic velocity point identification (inline, xline for 3-D data; line name and shotpoint number for 2-D data) Position data for the seismic velocity point (consistent with EPSG based best practice) Indication of the type of Velocity (Stack, Migrated etc.) Details of any correction applied to reference the velocity data to a seismic datum Time and velocity or depth and velocity value pairs A possible opportunity for XML based data flow implementation

Opportunities in Processing Improved SEG standards in Processing Capture of all required data items in a standard format into processed data (not manual entry) Data items to include: Seismic data polarity and phase Relationships of SP-CDP (2d) and full fold Grid (3d) Processing organization, processing steps (history) and other special processing details Projection parameters X,Y coordinates of traces should be recorded in trace headers.

Opportunities in Processing Improved SEG standards in Processing Benefits: Retain supporting info for future reference/re-use Avoid delays and errors of re-merging positioning data with trace data when loading to interpretation workstations. Eliminate recourse to earlier datasets to understand processing and interpretation history and eliminate reworking. Data Formats: Collaboratively work towards early adoption of SEG rev 1 standards.

Opportunities in Interpretation Data associated with seismic data & interpretation Like horizons, faults, seismic attributes, grids, maps, etc. MetaData Benefits: Long term retention of high value-added data resulting from skilled knowledge workers, for easy reference and re-use. Enable transfer of interpretation data between exploration, reservoir engineering, drilling, and production groups, within companies and between companies, partners, and service organizations. Retention by government agencies.

Opportunities in Interpretation Requirement of standard for interpretation data Interpreted data will be seamlessly accessible across various platforms, and between various third party applications Enable transfer of interpretation data between exploration, reservoir engineering, drilling, and production groups, within companies and between companies, partners, and service organizations. Retention by government agencies.

Broad Strategy Adopt the best practices and conform to existing SEG/ UKOOA standards and ensure completeness in all contextual data. ( Acquisition / Processing ) Wherever data standards need improvement, support SEG in the revision work and early industry adoption. ( SEGD rev 3, SEGY rev 1 ) Evolve standard templates and formats wherever non- existing. Ensure adherence to the standard by services( observer reports/ summary reports etc.) Work towards data exchange automation through XML web services. ( Velocity data, interpretation results, all Meta data )

Road Ahead Collaboration among the E&P Players, Equipment Manufacturers, API Operators Common acceptable standard practices to ensure  Interoperability  Reduced cycle times  Correctness of interpreted results.