Although GIS (Geographic Information Systems) have been around for at least three decades, recent advances have seen the rapid growth and usage of IMS (Internet Map Servers). While a number of high-end GIS market leaders dominate the E&P landscape, a new and alternative yet simple and effective methodology has been applied to the subject of E&P WebGIS.

WebGIS refers to a GIS data and functionality made available over the Internet. On the server side the GIS database and applications are held while on the client side a user interface operates within a Web browser.

The importance of WebGIS is rapidly emerging and changing the nature of E&P business since the geographic component of plotting E&P data such as license blocks, seismic lines, and wells are the primary objects for attaching relevant data and documents.

This article explains the use of a new technology approach with focus aimed at primarily small independent oil companies and small state national oil companies with a niche provision towards large oil companies for use within international satellite office locations.

The problem

For decision-making and interpretation processes, access to data and records is essential wherever the information resides — in digital form on a server or in hardcopy form at an offsite storage warehouse.

The search for data is often hindered by multiple storage locations, and access to data is hindered by the use of multiple systems or manual filing systems. Larger companies that have merged have seen a need to rationalize and consolidate data inventories.

Where database solutions have been put in place, they are often complex, non-intuitive, and difficult to use and can represent a costly expenditure, particularly for startup companies on tight operating budgets. It is not surprising that these many geoscientists compile their own data inventories in spreadsheets, which creates isolated silos of data within a company and hampers integrated data and records management.

It is generally accepted that 80% of a typical E&P company’s data has a geographical location. Geoscientists have a need to store all their information in a central database that can be searched through a simple graphical map-based interface. An intuitive and easy-to-use Web interface eliminates the need for installing software on client computers.

The importance of management of oil and gas records and data cannot be overestimated. This importance is underscored by statutory requirements such
as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002, which advocates Consistency, Accountability, Adoption, and Accessibility in records management. Companies now have no alternative but to implement compliant records management programs.

Because of the inherent geospatial relationships of E&P data, GIS is an extremely valuable tool for records management. GIS and in particular WebGIS has advanced significantly in the last decade. However, its acceptance is mostly within larger organizations that have advanced data management practices and larger IT budgets.

WebGIS for startups

A new approach to WebGIS provides a niche for smaller start-up E&P companies as applied to the Data Management Maturity Model proposed by Troy & D. Angelo, 2000 (Figure 1).
Key decision drivers often looked at within E&P companies with regards to information management application solutions include:
• Improved business profitability through enhancement programs;
• Speed of deployment, Web functionality, and user friendliness;
• Management of multiple
physical storage units from
one application;
• Ease of use, product training;
• Speed of delivery, conversion, implementation; and
• Compliance with legislation, e.g., Sarbanes-Oxley 2002.
Key design criteria were established for the creation of the new approach to E&P WebGIS – the Electronic Document and Records Management System (EDRMS). The system required components to meet Technical and User needs.

Technical needs

While being a Web-based system, the design approach needed to recognize security aspects as a self-contained and “sealed” system for use within company intranet environments yet permit users to access securely over the Internet with username and password controls.

The WebGIS interactive map had to be comprehensive and cost-effective and have relevance to E&P activities (natural features: topography, bathymetry, rivers, and swamps; and manmade features: road, settlements, rail, etc.). It had to be capable of presenting a world, regional, or country view.

Key technical challenges included accurate real-time plotting onto an interactive world map. A plotting accuracy of geospatial objects up to within 3 ft (1 m) onto the interactive map was deemed highly acceptable.

The importance of a standards-based “generic” database was recognized. The PPDM model ideally suited these needs, with emphasis on the increased use of GIS through the spatial component in the model schema.

It was recognized that acquired data would be recorded in many different projections and coordinate reference systems, and geospatial translation would also be involved in the application. Further emphasis was placed within PPDM for records management and the nature of storing physical and electronic documents and records whether they reside on a server or in a physical data file room store. PPDM provided a solid model foundation schema and was adapted to suit the needs of a widespread E&P community base.

It was important that the system could be loaded and installed within hours and not days, with minimal technical and associated installation requirements and remote assistance accessible from anywhere in the world.

User needs

Experience in guiding technicians and geoscience users with a variety of database applications led to the observation that users simply required a need to point and click and query via an interactive map interface on their geospatial E&P assets and drill down to find, query, and select further information related to the data assets. Data entry operators simply required a comprehensive E&P catalog index that captured the relevant attributes of E&P data and also with real-time GIS plotting accuracy to verify that the assets were in the correct location.

Users needed an application that was intuitive and easy-to-use, with an interface style conforming to MS Office standards. The overall look and feel of the design, with pull-downs and appropriate use of colors, tones, and styling, promotes use rather than non-use.

A fundamental design criterion to promote effective WebGIS and records management control is distributed access to users to enable update of data and GIS information, querying of features, and related assets via the interactive map interface. While generic in approach, a scalable systems development approach was desired that could evolve and grow with expanded functionality requirements.

Since the application was designed to be intuitive and easy-to-use, there would be minimal training requirements and technical expertise associated with use of system with only an elementary understanding of geography in terms of coordinate reference systems and projections.

Finally, affordability was a key aim, with minimal IT and associated overhead and running costs.

An integrated WebGIS – EDRMS approach provides significant benefits to smaller companies, whether small independent or small state national oil companies, in creating a WebGIS repository to promote faster access to E&P documents and records.

The new approach to WebGIS and EDRMS can certainly assist in climbing up the Data Management Maturity Model to promote data management efficiency and effectiveness for small E&P companies.