FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)
Who can benefit from using "oilelefant" ?
The oilelefant system is ideally suited to:-
- start-up oil companies
- small independent oil companies operating with scattered wells and seismic in a number of countries
- small state national companies wishing to attract inwards investment to their country to attract Oil & Gas Exploration & Production potential
For small to medium sized oil & gas companies with a limited number of wells and seismic information oilelefant is particularly suited where company activities may be either globally confined to one area or alternatively scattered in a number of active exploration and production regions.
Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Companies, Public State Organisations and Oil & Gas Contracting Companies can benefit from using the "oilelefant" system.
For public organisations such as State National Oil Companies or National Ministry of Mines, the system is ideally suited for developing countries with limited budgets and personnel resources to allocate and to spend on GIS systems and underlying database infrastructure and support.
With many countries possessing only a limited number of wells, seismic and with few licence blocks available, the "oilelefant" system is ideally suited for attracting inward investment within a country for companies to explore for oil & gas.
With the increasing rise of oil & gas prices in the last decade, many developing countries are further hampered economically by importing oil as a necessary resource. The "oilelefant" system helps to alleviate this burden by providing a state-of-the-art solution at a cost-effective price for developing countries.
It is a simple to use system for geo-science support technicians to use and be operational within minutes of use. In addition, it is a simple application tool to be administered by IT support staff within such companies using the latest web technology.
For oil and gas contractors the system can assist with emphasis on either wells, seismic or licence blocks or a combination of all. For example, multi-client seismic companies could effectively use such a system for displaying and updating seismic lines available for sale. Coring contractors could use system to identify wells which have been cored and analysed. Oil exploration contractors who assist in licensing blocks could use the functionality to display oil and gas licences and acreages available for lease.
Why the term "oilelefant" ?
In oil and gas exploration industry language an elephant oil field is defined as containing more than 100 million barrels of recoverable oil.
Ghawar, Burgan, Safaniya-Khafji and Zakum are the strange, unfamiliar names of the four largest oil fields in the world. Oil occurs rarely in nature and when it does it's often concentrated in large amounts. About 70% of the world's petroleum is found in 370 giant fields, nicknamed "elephants" because they are so huge. The discovery rate for elephants peaked in the 1960's. It's getting harder and harder to find new ones. Many geologists believe that elephants are nearing extinction, that only a handful remain unfound.
Among the many prolific oil fields or "elephant of all elephants" mentioned in the Middle East, is the giant Ghawar field in Saudi Arabia which stands out as the crown jewel. Discovered in 1948, Ghawar is the world's biggest oil field, stretching 174 miles in length and 16 miles across to encompass 1.3 million acres.
Current estimates, according to the numerous published articles and reports on Ghawar, tag cumulative oil production from this geological giant at 55 billion barrels. Average production for the last 10 years has held essentially steady at five million barrels per day, yet many geo-scientists are predicting that even Ghawar is now drying up.
The word "elefant" is a variation on the term "elephant" which as noted above is a common phrase used by geoscientists in finding large oil and gas fields within the world. The "f" as a variation to "ph" has been used as word within Spanish language is spelt elefante.
Emphasis has therefore been placed with the use of “f” as a subtle variation for distinctiveness and also reflecting an international usage across language barriers.
The oil word has been placed in-front to distinguish this is as a software application to assist with interactive mapping updates associated with oil and gas exploration, hence the term oilelefant.
What is WebGIS?
A Geographic Information System computerised association between a graphic representation and a textual description of a geographic location. A GIS provides the decision maker with a logical and graphic representation of geographically referenced information. WebGIS is simply a GIS system working on the Internet, they are sometimes referred to as mapservers, enable the viewing of maps using an Internet browser.
A GIS can maintain, analyse, and report on:
- geographical data, such as points and symbols, lines and curves or polygons, attribute data, such as: characters, numbers or dates.
A GIS can provide accurate answers to geographic questions such as:
- Where is a feature located?
- What is it adjacent to?
- What is its relationship to other features
A GIS provides a powerful, logical, and intuitive means to store, manipulate, and retrieve data. It provides the ability to see on screen or in map form, only those features or objects that meet specific selection criteria. In an instant, you can visually identify features in a geographic representation that would take much longer to find in a printed report.
Does the system conform to industry standards ?
The "oilelefant" system pays particular attention to industry standards which are in place and also evolving.
Organisations and industry bodies, which are noteworthy include:-
- OGC - OpenGIS Consortium
- EPSG - European Petroleum Survey Group
- PPDM - Public Petroleum Data Model Association *
- POSC - Petrotechnical Open Software Corporation
- ISO - International Standards Organisation
The development of "oilelefant" has been orientated towards PPDM* based database schema on the PPDM Lite 1.0 framework. PPDM is a widely accepted and practical implementation of database schema and methodology for oil & gas exploration data management purposes. The emphasis within the PPDM Lite 1.0 framework on geo-spatial relationships was also seen as an advantage in developing the framework for "oilelefant".
Development standards are also noted for progressive development of system in the form of ISO standards for Information Management.
What about conversion of geo-technical data ?
It is recognised that many companies will have what are termed as "legacy" systems or systems for various reasons:-
- which are currently in use but have become over time out-of-date and unsupported
- not keeping abreast of current technology developments, not evolving with a progressive development path and have become static and rigid over time
- are costly to maintain with personnel resources (GIS analysts and database administration)
- not meeting end-user needs and ease-of-use associated with current software applications
and will wish to upgrade these systems to state-of-the-art Internet based solutions.
Interactive Net Mapping Ltd will assist customers in the conversion of their existing data by:
- Identifying customer attributes for conversion
- Mapping existing data values
- Preparing conversion programs for import of data
- Testing of imported data
What if "oilelefant" does not have attributes for our geo-technical data ?
The Standard version of "oilelefant" has been designed specifically with the following components:-
| Component | Feature | GIS | Basic Attributes |
| Wells | Surface Location | Point | Well Identification, Name, Co-ordinates, Total Depth, Measured Depth, Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seismic | 2D Seismic | Line | Seismic Survey Header, Line Names, Line-Co-ordinates, Survey Parameters |
| Seismic | 3D Seismic | Polygon | Seismic Survey Header, Grid Co-ordinates, Survey Parameters |
| Licence | Licence Outline | Polygon | Licence Header, Licence Block Co-ordinates, Licence Operators and Partners |
| Field | Field Outline | Polygon | Field Name, Discovery Date, Field Type |
| Block | Block Outline | Polygon | Block Name, Block Co-ordinates |
The Standard version of "oilelefant" will accommodate simple needs and requirements of small-medium sized oil & gas companies to place well, seismic and licence data interactively and load onto their websites (Internet or Intranet).
The Standard version is therefore aimed at companies who simply have a need to update Wells, 2D Seismic Lines, 3D Seismic Grids and Licence Blocks without the requirement for other details to be added.
Interactive Net Mapping Ltd will assist in enquiries to suit your company's needs mindful of a generic upgrade and progressive maintenance path for the system.
Further progression of the Standard oilelefant system is planned with added functionality and features related to oil and gas exploration and production.
What is main purpose behind "oilelefant" system ?
It is recognised that in the oil & gas industry that 80% of associated data is geo-spatially related and the prime purpose behind the build of the system was to create a simple easy-to-use system to enable users to enable users to interactively plot and query on geo-spatial features (Wells, 2D and 3D Seismic, Licences, Fields and Blocks) and provide a simple yet effective database schema for entry and querying data
What distinguishes "oilelefant" system from other comparable systems?
The oilelefant system is built using simple off the shelf cost-effective tools and displays. With a powerful interactive world map base, operating to OGC standards and conforming to the accepted WGS-84 projection standard, the base is seen as an ideal back-drop for oil and gas exploration companies particularly in the early "reconnaissance" phase of exploration where limited wells and seismic may exist.
The system is easy to use and can be readily understood by geoscience technicians and explorationists within minutes of its introduction. A basic understanding of geography in terms of projections and datums is required for the GIS plotting purposes, and also related language associated with oil exploration terms and attributes
The system does not involve high-end up-front infrastructure costs which are typically associated with oil & gas WebGIS systems.The IT infrastructure of oilelefant is constructed using the most cost-effective WebGIS and database currently available. Oilelefant compares significantly and cost effectively with other systems in the market where significant costs are involved and noted for:-
- WebGIS system and associated modules and software licences
- Loading of feature data (coastlines, cities, rivers, bathymetry..)
- Underlying database system and software licences
- GIS analysts and GIS specialists for GIS data loading
- Database administrator for maintenance of database
- High maintenance overhead of data entry and technical support staff
Such costs can amount to significant sums (£00,000's) without even a single piece of information being loaded into a system. As noted high up-front costs are associated with such systems and this often places such systems out of the pockets and budgets of the smaller to medium sized oil companies.
As such oilelefant is therefore ideally suited to:-
- start-up oil companies
- small independent oil companies operating with scattered wells and seismic in a number of countries
- small state national companies wishing to attract inwards investment to their country to attract Oil & Gas Exploration & Production potential
It can also be used for multi-nationals who may wish to use a system locally within their own satellite location to monitor country activity independently of the high end systems that may be used internationally and corporately and in locations where the telecommunications infrastructure (Internet) may not be quite as developed and as advanced.
What about data import and export utilities ?
It is recognised that some companies may have a wealth of existing data that simply cannot be keyed in directly by hand.
The initial premise for "oilelefant" was to create a simple system for a limited number of wells, licence blocks and a few hundred seismic lines, which involves a minimal data entry effort and the main data can be updated within a few days, forming the initial foundation and basis for adding additional data interactively.
Where quantities and volumes of data are much larger in terms of hundreds of wells and thousands of 2D seismic lines then a need for importing such data is required.
Also it is recognised that export facilities are required to export data selected into other applications most notably Excel for other geo-scientific purposes.
Import and export utilities are not currently in-built within the Standard oilelefant system, however the requirement is recognised and additional functionality will be addressed to incorporate these required features.
What is Geo-Spatial Translation and why is this important in oilelefant ?
Geo-Spatial Translation is the process of converting a set of geographic co-ordinates from one projection system to another. As the underlying interactive world base of oilelefant conforms to the recognised WGS-84 standard it is recognised that original data recorded for oil & gas companies is not always recorded in this standard but within a variety of numerous projection systems around the world.
There is therefore a requirement to convert coordinates from the recorded projection system into the target system of WGS-84 (the underlying interactive world map server base). This involves mathematical algorithms written in computer programming code to convert points from the originally recorded projection system and datums. This code is embedded within oilelefant to permit such calculations to be performed and plot such points, lines and polygons with a high degree of accuracy (depending on projection system and code) onto the world map base (within one metre).
Older projection systems are less reliable for geo-spatial translation but nonetheless can be converted with a high degree of accuracy provided certain on the ground control points are used and with assistance of experienced geodetic surveyors or surveying bodies that can assist with adjustments or refinements that may be required.
Either, geographic coordinates (Lat-Long) and UTM based values can be recorded into oilelefant. Where inconsistencies arise in projections systems and plotting of data, Interactive Net Mapping will assist in adjusting or adding further refinements to existing geo-spatial translations.
It should be noted that projections and datums follow the codes and recognised projections / datums as defined by EPSG (European Petroleum Survey Group) which is a widely recognised industry standard particularly in relation to the oil & gas exploration industry.
What are the technical IT features of oilelefant ?
Oilelefant® is designed for use in web and intranet environments. It operates on the Windows Operating System utilising ColdFusion MX7 and Microsoft's Internet Information Services (IIS).
The underlying database is the Microsoft Database Engine (MSDE) with a clear expansion and progression path to MS SQL Server for larger datasets. The database model schema has been based on PPDM Lite 1.0.
COM object technology is used to perform the GeoSpatial transformation of plotted co-ordinates.
The Web Map Server (WMS) is certified OGC compliant (WMS 1.1.1) and presented within the users browser using Flash technology.
The constituent elements of the software application can be used in single or multi-server distribution. For a single server installation hardware requirements are:
| System Requirements | |
| Operating System: | Windows Server 2003*, Windows 2000 Server, Windows XP Professional |
|---|---|
| Hardware: | 2.4GHz CPU, 1Gb RAM* (512Kb Min), 5+Gb disk space* for base maps |
| Client Platform: | Any flash enabled web browser |
| MS IIS: | IIS 4 and higher |
*Recommended
Can oilelefant be customised to suit our company website needs?
Interactive Net Mapping Ltd views the development of "oilelefant" in a generic path and development form in accordance with recognised industry data models such as PPDM. Customised development of the product is not envisaged and client needs will be carefully considered in light of generic development.
It should be noted that Interactive Net Mapping will assist in terms of client customised requirements in the form of:
- Website design to incorporate within company website
- Company logos and company colours
- To incorporate within company website to provide a unique "look and feel" for customers and their own company webspaces
The graphical mapping component of oilelefant utilises an OGC compliant world map server which can be 'tailored' to provide a one country view. This feature would be particularly relevant for Small National Oil Companies in producing interactive maps of geo-spatially related exploration and production data to their own country needs.
Trademark and Copyright protection of oilelefant ?
Oilelefant is an original and designed application system and is seen as a unique and innovative, yet cost effective system for deployment with oil & gas company websites and webspace whether internally used (IntraNet) or externally used (Internet, ExtraNet).
As such the product is protected with registered Trademarks and Copyrights in place in accordance with the Trademark Laws of the United Kingdom.
Trademark protection laws will be extended and applied Internationally through the WIPO organisation.
