10 THINGS to KNOW ABOUT WELL LOGS a Set of Rules for Checking the Quality of Well Logs

Foundations Journal of the Professional Petroleum Data Management Association

Volume 1 | Issue 3 | Fall 2014

10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT WELL LOGS A set of rules for checking the quality of well logs

Foundations Table of contents Foundations: The Journal of the Professional Volume 1 | Issue 3 | Fall 2014 Petroleum Data Management Association is published four times per year by JuneWarren- Nickle’s Energy Group.

CEO TECHNICAL ARTICLE 19 Trudy Curtis 10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT WELL LOGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS A set of rules for checking the quality of well logs Chair By Martin Storey, senior consultant, Well Data Quality Assurance Pty Ltd Trevor Hicks Vice-Chair Robert Best Secretary Janet Hicks Treasurer Peter MacDougall FEATURES Certified 17 Directors Defining the Trudy Curtis, Rusty Foreman, Paul Haines, 8 The PPDM Association David Hood, Allan Huber, Yogi Schulz, geotech and industry participants are finalizing the process Joseph Seila The role of a geotech is one rarely set to paper. So what does to establish professional Head Office a geotech do, and for whom? accreditation for petroleum data analysts Suite 860, 736 8th Ave SW By Gordon Cope Calgary, AB T2P 1H4 By Gordon Cope Email: [email protected] A better measure 11 Phone: 403-660-7817 GUEST EDITORIAL The Units of Measure project 4 aims to introduce a new Standards for CEO efficiency for doing business Bill Whitelaw what, when and who By Jay Hollingsworth, Gary Masters By Jim Crompton, data management President and Harry Schultz and analytics consultant Rob Pentney

Editor, Special Projects All’s “well” in DEPARTMENTS Rianne Stewart 14 Saskatchewan Standards & 6 Contributors Saskatchewan pragmatism leads technology Gordon Cope, Jim Crompton, Danette Flegel, the way to adopting the Canadian Industry news and updates Jay Hollingsworth, Jess Kozman, Gary Masters, Well Identification System Harry Schultz, Martin Storey By Danette Flegel, Government of Saskatchewan Upcoming events Editorial Assistance 22 Laura Blackwood, Sarah Miller, Sarah Munn Find us at events and conferences around the Creative Lead Join the discussion on LinkedIn world in 2014 and 2015 Cath Ozubko Graphic Designer Ginny Tran Mulligan Ad Traffic Coordinator Lorraine Ostapovich ABOUT PPDM Advertising The Professional Petroleum Data Management (PPDM) Association is a global, Nick Drinkwater, Account Manager not-for-profit society within the petroleum industry that provides leadership for the professionalization of petroleum data management through the development Calgary Edmonton and dissemination of best practices and standards, training programs, certifi- 2nd Flr-816 55 Ave NE 220-9303 34 Ave NW cation programs and professional development opportunities. For 25 years, Calgary, AB T2E 6Y4 Edmonton, AB T6E 5W8 the PPDM Association has represented and supported the needs of operating Tel: 403-209-3500 Tel: 780-944-9333 companies, regulators, software vendors, data vendors, consulting companies and management professionals around the globe.

Foundations | Fall 2014 | 3 Guest Editorial

Standards for what, when and who By Jim Crompton, data management and analytics consultant

always seem to be talking thing. It can help keep investments focused States onshore or Canadian heavy oil, LI about standards. Throughout on the greatest value and can clarify the needs to define its standards and invest in my years of giving presenta- utility foundation upon which more valuable data-quality work and end-user literacy tions and writing articles, standards and solutions can be built. I may get grumpy that with the new standard. architecture have been and are my most- someone is taking away my favourite way Establishing clear data-ownership re- discussed topics. I don’t think that I am a to do something, but I need to recognize the sponsibility is critical. When you have a new standards fanatic; as a matter of fact, I usu- modest value of that choice and get on board. standard for What is a Well established in a ally find myself arguing the position that However, when a standards program drilling database, does that mean that drill- we have gone too far with standardization. oversimplifies a critical work process—say ers own the information object of the well? So why do I keep coming back to this topic? if we think a reservoir-management suite What about the operations and maintenance Standards are important, and standard- of tools should be the same for a waterflood roles? What about workovers and redrills? ization does not have to be the enemy of project as for a heavy oil steam flood, or that In many business units, these small capital innovation. Adoption of the right standards drilling a complex deepwater subsalt well projects and sometimes operation-expense should enable a company to operate more is the same as drilling a shallow shale gas jobs are run by operations—not drilling.

efficiently and effectively at a global or well—we may be overstepping our role. Can you have an effective system of record SHPADE/THINKSTOCK GEORGIY PHOTO: regional scale and even focus investment in If IT attempts to limit the applications if no function will take ownership—or if innovation on the things that can bring the suite for the sake of IT efficiency, we can more than one function claims ownership— industry the most value. end up providing an 80 percent solution to of data definition or quality, driving the But despite efforts from corporate a valuable process and limiting our ability right user behaviour, understanding how executives and the focus of internal IT to create a competitive advantage. Know- the data flow and life cycle aligns to the departments, I don’t think we have the ing when one standard is the right answer desired work process, technology refresh messaging around the role of standards and when a guideline of several solutions cycle, vendor alliance relationship or incorrect. So, pardon me, I am going to try are the right answers is an art form and ternal support? All of these issues are part this one more time. a critical balancing act for IT. We need of the expectations of the asset life cycle Many companies have a culture of domain knowledge and buy-in management plan for that function and central policy making but distributed de- to make many of those choices. have to be moderated by the IT function, cision making. It’s obvious that before we In addition, in order to identify the not owned by it. set standards, we have to understand and business process or capability to which a In setting standards, we also need to align them to business needs. standard applies, we need to determine the appreciate the maturity level of the organiz- We often oversimplify those needs for appropriate responsible organization and ation. Some standards are more applicable the sake of two drivers: efficiency and cost individual roles (a responsibility assign- when a group has reached a higher level of reduction. Saving a little bit of expense ment matrix, also known as RACI chart, is integration and design maturity. A master by limiting options can be a good or a bad a good tool for this). A functional group, data management solution is a critical role thing. Reducing options on a technology or like drilling or reservoir management, or for an organization tackling cross-functional service that only has utility value is a good a regional operating unit, like the United workflows, but could be an unnecessary

API WELL NUMBER 1978 Correction (BASED ON THE API BULLETIN D12A) A table on page 21 of the summer issue of POSITIONS 1–2 3–5 6–10 11–12 Foundations contains incorrect information. UNIQUE WELL DIRECTIONAL The corrected table appears here. We CODE NAME STATE COUNTY CODE SIDETRACK apologize for any inconvenience. EXAMPLE 31 101 22963 03

4 | Journal of the Professional Petroleum Data Management Association complication for a function still working on are more complicated and require careful domain-specific applications and closely discussion with the user community and coupled data stores. So is standardization thinking about the consequences of losing necessary? It depends. Our important functionality. Another choice is to just leave attempts to rationalize and simplify our ap- some diversity alone when the requirements plication inventory are filled with important for specific tools create more opportunity choices. While one goal is to reduce IT ex- than the rationalization brings savings. At pense, we also aim to provide a foundation other times, standardization needs to wait that our business can use to leverage digital until the community is ready for it. technology for a competitive advantage. Don’t just give me a shorter list of stan- Consider applying standards from an infor- dards. Give me a menu of the right number mation, not a technology, perspective. of solutions, well supported and integrated Some choices are obvious: older versions for all the value-creating opportunities of the same software and applications that that we want to pursue.

PHOTO: GEORGIY SHPADE/THINKSTOCK GEORGIY PHOTO: are no longer used should go. Other choices Then I can stop writing about standards.

2015 HOUSTON DATA MANAGEMENT SYMPOSIUM & TRADESHOW MARCH 9 - 11

Want to take part in the action? Visit ppdm.org to register now! Here’s how: To complete your experience, also register Learn and Enjoy – Register to Attend for the Houston Data Management Workshop Get Recognized – Become a Sponsor and Field Trip on March 9. Spread your Message – Exhibit at our Tradeshow For more information contact us at: Share your expertise – Submit an Abstract [email protected]

Foundations | Fall 2014 | 5 Standards & Technology NEWS

Society for petroleum data managers to be created

A memorandum of intent to establish a global professional society for petroleum data managers has been agreed to by represen- tatives from Common Data Access Limited (CDA), the Expert Community for Data and Information Management (ECIM) and the Professional Petroleum Data Management (PPDM) Association. The aim of the society, which will be not-for-profit, international and independent, is to be the place where pro- Diverse topics covered at Brisbane fessional data managers go for community, and Perth symposia knowledge and professional development. “The society will be available to all indi- By Jess Kozman viduals involved or interested in petroleum They came; they talked Big Data and training, education and experience need- data management, whether from oil compan- professional certification; they covered ed for successful data management, the ies, NOCs, service companies, regulators, history from the mastery of fire to the latest most important tools for data managers, academia or anywhere else. It promotes the hackathon; and they referenced everything and the future of the profession in two, value of data management as a career des- from clay tablets to petaflop computing. five and 10 years. tination with professional qualifications and During a two-week period in August, In Perth, the theme was “Making regular certification. An open, transparent over 100 professional data managers from Today’s Vision Tomorrow’s Reality,” and society will enable a community to develop the Asia-Pacific petroleum and resource in- the event highlighted collective action and where knowledge is shared and the industry dustry met for a day of workshops and two community-building. The agenda included as a whole can benefit from this initiative,” days of symposia in Brisbane and Perth, technical presentations from operators, says Rusty Foreman of BP p.l.c. both in Australia. vendors, government regulators, consul- CDA, ECIM and PPDM all have pre- Organized by the Professional Petroleum tants and academics, along with a 20/20 existing work in this area, including com- Data Management (PPDM) Association, the session (20 minutes of presentation and petencies, education, training, certification, meetings brought together industry experts 20 minutes of audience conversation) on accreditation, events, publications, stan- and practitioners to address technical conservation of data quality, a workshop dards and bodies of knowledge. The society standards and how data, information and on data types and metadata, and three aims to bring that experience and breadth knowledge add value to high-tech and sessions around professional certification, of understanding together to create a firm capital-intensive oil and gas projects. job descriptions and testing. foundation for industry acknowledgement The Brisbane workshop featured a pre- The highlight was a presentation from of the need for professionalization and rec- sentation on the visualization and analytics Resources Innovation through Information ognition of the business value of good data of business data from a senior business Technology about their open data inno- management. intelligence architect at Santos Ltd., discus- vation event, or hackathon, at which Workgroups have been set up to take this sions on the fragility of storage media and developers and coders had 54 hours to initiative forward, and they comprise several an update on the status of digital well data prototype solutions to industry problems key threads, including budget, legal, govern- in Australia. using open data from the industry and ance, organizational and membership. Interactive workshop sessions covered well-defined problem sets. The PPDM Participants will consist of the executive topical themes in petroleum data man- Association is actively pursuing a similar leadership from CDA, ECIM and PPDM, agement, including the mix of personality, event for the petroleum industry. as well as BP, Royal Dutch Shell plc, A.P.

Moller-Maersk Group and Halliburton. LE_WILK/THINKSTOCKPHOTO:

6 | Journal of the Professional Petroleum Data Management Association Standards & Technology S&T

Saskatchewan adopts new Canadian well ID system The Professional Petroleum Data draft of a new system was released in Divestco launches updated Management Association and its industry mid-2013. partners are pleased to announce that Essentially, the system comprises three mapping product Saskatchewan will be the first jurisdic- related identifiers that recognize every Divestco Inc. has launched GeoCarta tion to implement the new Canadian Well well, every wellbore and every well- Version 3.8, a data access and analysis Identification System (CWIS). reporting stream. application that connects Environmental Responding to requests from oil compan- CWIS meets the modern database Systems Research Institute, Inc. (Esri) ies, industry vendors and regulators (the needs of operators, regulators, vendors mapping technology with well and land former Energy Resources Conservation and other stakeholders. It maintains legacy databases from the Professional Petroleum Board was a co-author of the project unique well identifiers, but also incorpor- Data Management Association. charter), the CWIS project was under- ates a standard system of coded identifiers The software boasts powerful data taken to upgrade the system of well iden- to allow business processes to leverage browsing, data source flexibility and robust tification in western Canada, which is accurate information in a timely manner. exports, all of which make exploring a simple, outdated due to advances in drilling and Every data item in every well can be man- stress-free process. completions technologies and demands aged from creation to delivery to archive. Version 3.8 introduces features such as: for information. The latest CWIS version incorporates • Split rights display: the ability to gen- After widespread consultation and refinements gleaned from input on the first erate split polygons to better visualize expert volunteer participation, the first draft. Visit ppdm.org for more information. any overlapping map layers in an area of interest; CWIS IDENTIFIER CONSTRUCTION • Simpler processes to update user map Description Jurisdiction Well Code Component Component Identifier layers: update the results set layer or Type Value rerun the layer query with the click of 1 Well ID AB 1597532 -- -- AB 1597532 a button; 2 Wellbore ID AB 1597532 B 001 AB 1597532B001 • Additional facility production data: includes facility production stats, battery 3 Well Reporting ID AB 1597532 V 001 AB 1597532V001 production, production daily average 1. The well ID identifies a well. Most information is filed and retrieved according to the well it came stats and production monthly stats; and from or relates to. • Proprietary surface land agreements: 2. The wellbore ID identifies a wellbore. All downhole measurements and construction, including tests users can import proprietary surface and completions, can be located by depth and time intervals within the wellbore. land agreements from LandRite. 3. The well reporting ID identifies a well reporting stream for which the regulator requires information. For more information on GeoCarta, please visit Divestco online at divestco.com/geocarta.

Other key capabilities include: ETL Solutions expands • Multiple facilities on one optical path that can be mapped onto the fibre “as development team Energistics publishes measured” length; ETL Solutions Ltd has welcomed two new • Logging and other forms of conveyance; PRODML V1.3 Standard recruits to the company’s development team. • Controlled lists of curves eliminates Lee Grubb and Zhipeng Chang both Energistics announced the publication of the previous log curve ID ambiguity; join the ETL Solutions team to help deliver PRODML V1.3 Standard. Included in this • Keeping measured and interpreted Transformation Manager 5.12, an update fo- release is a new version of the Distributed data together; and cusing on stability and improved performance. Temperature Sensing (DTS) data-object, • Support for tracking equipment changes The company is actively seeking which represents a major step forward in over time, such as additions or removals consultants to work in the exploration and DTS reporting. The original DTS standard of segments from the optical path. production domain. Details of the vacan- has been enhanced for up-to-date practices Additional information is available at cies can be found at etlsolutions.com/jobs.

PHOTO: LE_WILK/THINKSTOCKPHOTO: and technologies. energistics.org.

Foundations | Fall 2014 | 7 region to the acquisition of geological and geophysical information; the interpretation of that information in order to complete high-grade prospects; the planning and drilling of those prospects; the subsequent production of commercial discoveries and the eventual disposal or abandonment of the assets. Increasingly, companies are recognizing that data and information are resources that need as much care throughout the life of an asset as a well or pipeline. Master data management strategies are becoming commonplace along with recognition of the role of data management to steward master data for all stakeholders. The role of the geotech, on the other hand, is focused on the technical data requirements of a specific set of users (geoscientists) at specific points in the life cycle of a well.

WHAT IS A GEOTECH? Geotechs work with geoscientists to find data, put it in a form suitable for analysis by specialized interpretation software and assist with tasks such as research, validation and verification, data Defining loading, analytics and working with contractors and vendors. In small companies, the geotech may also be responsible for regulatory approvals and submissions, contract management and much more. The scope of data handled by a geotech is broad and complex. the geotech This data can include seismic, well, survey, core, production and land information as well as joint-venture responsibilities and The role of a geotech is one rarely set more. Corrections or additions to the data should be captured, validated and managed in an appropriate interpretation or analy- to paper. So what does a geotech do, sis tool and ultimately made available to a trusted system of record and for whom? or master data store so that all key stakeholders have access to the best possible data over the life of the asset. Currently, there is no single recognized title or job description for these workers in the oil and gas sector. Titles such as geological technician (or geotech), geoscience technologist, geotechnical By Gordon Cope assistant, petroleum technician (petrotech), geological data manager, technical assistant, technical aid and data librarian are often used. However, their function is much the same: they are responsible for making the right data available to the geoscientists with the appropriate technical software and for making sure that the he following article is based on an online data is properly stewarded for the future. T discussion initiated by oil and gas data managers Commonly, master data managers have an overall concern with to explore the responsibilities and challenges facing corporate data stores, and geotechs have a concern for active tech- geoscience technicians. Foundations would like to thank Giorgio nical works in progress. While the geotech is primarily focused on Drei, Vanessa Johnson, David Lloyd, Stephen Lord, Scott Stephens, a set of data related to a specific interpretation project, the master Martin Storey, Scott Tidemann and others for contributing their data manager is responsible for a corporate database that is typ- knowledge and insights. ically used to share key data among many user communities and Our intention is to stimulate further productive discussion about as the foundation for business intelligence systems. this subject and help share the many viewpoints that exist about this Clearly, there are many points of intersection between the two important function. Your responses and ideas are always welcome at environments, and, in some companies, the same individual may [email protected]. be assigned both tasks. In any case, it is essential that data transfer processes be coordinated between the two functions so that data Finding and producing hydrocarbons involves many complex can flow as seamlessly as possible in order to honour the needs and

steps, from the initial identification of a prospective hydrocarbon workflows of all users. SUMIKOPHOTO/THINKSTOCKPHOTO:

8 | Journal of the Professional Petroleum Data Management Association Feature

RESPONSIBILITIES application has the potential to reduce the value of the data A geotech is responsible for all of the geological, geophysical and for another use. engineering data needed to meet the objectives of a particular The list of challenges faced by the geotech is long and daunting. project. Essentially, this involves searching for the data, checking Many companies are making great strides toward solving these the quality, creating a working data store (usually in a vendor- problems internally; however, no single company can hope to solve provided interpretation software application) and collating and each of these problems for the entire industry. presenting it in a form, such as a map, that allows team members These challenges include: to use and interpret the data effectively and efficiently. • When gathering data, the geotech may not be able to ascer- Typically, the geotech works under the supervision of the tain what data actually exists, what data is still available geoscience and engineering team but is not directly involved in the either in-house or through a vendor, and where the data is. interpretation of the data. Rather, the value a geotech contributes • If the geotech has a reason to think that data does exist, then is through finding and loading missing data, identifying and cor- finding, transcribing and checking data quality can take weeks. recting data problems and managing data so that geoscientists and The data may be incomplete or it may lack control items, raising engineers can concentrate on interpretation and adding value. issues about its usefulness and value. It is difficult to rational- The level of skill that a geotech brings to the project varies ize to management the time and effort spent if, in the end, the due to a number of factors. If the geotech comes from an IT value of the data is so questionable as to be unusable. background, those skills will include a good working knowledge • Older legacy data is often not available in digital form. Data of what databases contain, how to find specific data and how entry is expensive, time-consuming, error-prone and, if the to validate the data. If the geotech comes from a geoscience or original prints are too faint to transcribe, useless. engineering background, those skills will include a good working • Sometimes data has been processed with algorithms that are knowledge of the relationship between different data sets, how to no longer documented, or with parameters that never were ensure good data quality and the information needed to effectively documented, or it cannot be validated. achieve the objectives of a project. • Contextual information that is essential to interpretation, Experience also plays a significant role. The geotech occupies such as the pressure and temperature conditions of core sam- a complex and demanding function for which many diverse skills ples, may not be available. While general assumptions can be are needed. Depending on the size and scope of the company, a made, doing so introduces avoidable uncertainty. geotech may be obliged to assume many different roles with regard • Data can be degraded through the course of preparation to not only research, quality validation, geosciences, engineering, when, for example, a well log is under-sampled while being software functionality and mapping, but also regulatory require- converted from one format to another. ments and contract obligations. Because formal training oppor- • Several versions of the data may be available without any in- tunities are limited or lacking altogether, the principal method of formation regarding what they are and why they are different. learning is on-the-job training. • Prior data work may be available, but there may be no documentation of how it was produced, or even what original data GEOTECH CHALLENGES AND NEEDS was used. Many issues are common to all professions. Exploration, for • Organizations differ in size and complexity and have varying instance, has an accelerated work environment often related to abilities for addressing such issues. deadlines (like land sales), so everything has to be done quickly. Information is often incomplete or has unintentionally been ADDRESSING CHALLENGES corrupted. Data that was not gathered when it should have been Currently, most challenges are addressed on a corporate level with is often lost for good, and new ways of managing and interpreting in-house standards. Unfortunately, these can deteriorate over time data are constantly emerging, requiring the continuous re- or change as data managers retire or leave. Universal standards evaluation of work that has already been done. Explorers tend to specific to the entire oil and gas sector would help address many of adopt a range of assumptions and caveats that are often not made these challenges. explicit, thereby engendering misconceptions. Today, data management professionals recognize the need to Geotechs face a unique challenge in that there are no wide- work together so that useful and practical solutions can emerge ly recognized industry standards for producing well-managed and be adopted. Some of these solutions include: geoscience data sets, so any conditioning tends to be driven by • Standards for the design, maintenance and upgrading of the objective of the project and is specific to that project only. master databases. This means that work that has been done rarely adds perma- • Standards for cataloguing all data that is acquired by a nent value to the master database and can actually create company, including catalogues of project and master data

PHOTO: SUMIKOPHOTO/THINKSTOCKPHOTO: a situation where perfectly competent preparation for one repositories.

Foundations | Fall 2014 | 9 Feature

• Standards for the way data in master databases is loaded, While master data management is emerging as a recognized disci- updated and made available to users. pline, the geotech may be seen as neither data manager nor geo- • Standards for storing derivation information associated with scientist; in truth, the geotech is a bit of each and needs training data, such as algorithms and parameters. and support in order to satisfy the demands of both sides of the job. • Standards for permanently recording metadata about master Fortunately, there are now efforts underway to begin to overcome data indicating its provenance and trustworthiness and these challenges. The Professional Petroleum Data Management whether or not it is up to date. (PPDM) Association and Common Data Access Limited (CDA) are • Standards for the way data from master databases is down- working together to professionalize data management. loaded into project data stores. CDA has worked closely with data managers from oil com- • Standards for the way alterations to data are integrated into panies and service contractors in Europe to complete a detailed the master data store. description of domain competencies as part of a broader program • Standards for the way geotechs and master data managers to professionalize petroleum data management. The site provides are trained. data managers with the opportunity to build their own competen- • Standards for keeping audit trails so that changes can be traced. cy profiles by assessing their own level of competence against the • Industry-set certification for geotechs and master data managers. defined competencies. Data managers can add evidence to each The Standards Leadership Council organizations are currently competency level that they claim. focused on working with industry to develop standard and best In addition, the PPDM Association is working with industry to practice solutions that work for everyone. develop certification programs for data management professionals. Industry experts from around the globe contributed to a question GEOTECH AS DATA MANAGER bank for the certification exam, and nearly 100 participants from Unfortunately, the data management role of the geotech is often a wide variety of data vendors, operators and regulators with be- overlooked with little formal acknowledgment of the impor- tween three and five years of experience in petroleum data analysis tance of making data available in a timely manner, in the correct have now written the pilot exam as part of the exam validation formats and double-checked for quality, purpose and accuracy. process. The certification process will be released in late 2014.

Caught the Photobug?

Enter the Foundations Photo Contest to get your photo published!

Catch an amazing nature shot? Got perfect lighting on that rig? Get ‘exposed’ with Foundations!

Submit your three best creative photos each quarter to have a chance to be published in the next edition of Foundations.

Winners will be selected by open vote at www.ppdm.org each quarter. Winning photos will be featured on the cover of Foundations (First Prize) and inside Foundations (Second Prize).

Visit www.ppdm.org to learn more about submitting your entry, including Rules and Regulations. You do not need to be a member of the PPDM Association to submit a photo or vote. Winning photos will be published in Foundations and may be used in other PPDM Materials.

Photo Courtesy of Ernest Harrison, 2014.

10 | Journal of the Professional Petroleum Data Management Association Feature

The Units of Measure project aims to introduce A better a new efficiency for doing business measure By Jay Hollingsworth, Gary Masters and Harry Schultz

ithout question, oil and gas data is very technic- For instance, the Energistics Unit of Measure dictionary defines W al. Through the long life cycle of an asset, well or a unique symbol for each concept and assigns each symbol a con- facility, vast amounts of estimated, calculated and version to a base unit. measured data are created. Many organizations are involved in Conversely, the API RP66 specification defines elemental sym- creating and using the data, and the data may be contained in doz- bols and a grammar, for deriving more complicated unit expres- ens—or even hundreds—of systems across multiple companies. sions. Each elemental symbol has an underlying definition, which Much of the data represents measurements associated with allows a conversion to base units to be recursively derived. various physical properties like depth, fluid density and concentra- The Energistics quantity class specification provides a way tion. And while there are many different measurement systems in to organize the Energistics unit of measure symbols into coher- existence today, they do not all necessarily agree with each other. ent sets. For example, “ft” can stand for foot or femtotonne. A foot can Unfortunately, the unit of measure symbols do not always be abbreviated as “ft” or “F.” And a gallon can be a different vol- conform to the RP66 grammar, and there is no tie between RP66 ume depending on if it’s metric or American. and the quantity classes. The Energistics Unit of Measure Standard, This contradictory behaviour makes it difficult to successfully which includes the Unit of Measure dictionary, was created to write applications that extract business intelligence from diverse sets merge the best concepts contained within these older specifica- of data or to integrate multiple data silos into one. Standardization tions and provide important enhancements. can make communication more consistent and training easier, and The RP66 grammar was patterned after the SI’s best practices can improve clarity. for constructing a unit. This is very flexible, which means that Once consolidated, shared units of measure can promote all possible combinations are allowed. For example, the symbols interoperability and provide the foundation for data loading and “m.s” and “s.m” are equivalent. Likewise, the symbols “km/s” and improved data quality. “m/ms” are considered to be equivalent by SI because the multiplier implied by the prefixes is the same (1E3 = 1/1E-3). A HISTORIC OVERVIEW By extension, any combination of prefixes that results in the Energistics (formerly the Petrotechnical Open Standards Consortium same multiplier is equivalent, such as km/s, m/ms, Mm/ks, Gm/ [POSC]), the global upstream oil and gas open standards consor- Ms, mm/us, etc. Furthermore, many mechanical variations are tium, has traditionally been the repository for several units-of- possible such as km.s-1, s-1/km-1 and (1/s)/(1/km). This increased measure-related specifications. Although they all have roots in the complexity can be confusing if the symbols are to be used within International System of Units (SI), they are not completely compatible. the same user interface.

Foundations | Fall 2014 | 11 Feature

UNIT DIMENSIONS Unit Dimensions are simple expressions that are used to convey fundamental concepts of measurement. Each expression is constructed from building blocks using a few simple rules and symbols. There are 125 Unit Dimensions provided in this UNITS OF MEASURE release. The 10 building blocks are: This is the set of units that are available to use. Angle - A Length - L Units may be simple (ft or degF). Temperature Difference - D Mass - M Units may be complex (Btu[IT].in/(h.ft2.deltaF)). Electrical Current - I Amount of Substance - N Luminous Intensity - J Solid Angle - S Thermodynamic Temperature - M Time - T

For example, the Unit Dimension L2M/T2 uses length, mass and time (Length squared * Mass/Time Squared).

UNIT QUANTITY There is a many-to-many relationship between Units of Measure and Quantity class. QUANTITY CLASS Obviously, many units of measure belong to the A quantity class represents a set of units with the same same quantity class (e.g. ft and m both belong to dimension and the same underlying measurement concept. the length class). The quantity classes “energy” and “moment of force” both It is less obvious that some units of measure may use the Unit Dimension L2M/T2. However, these are not the be used to represent more than one quantity class. same class of quantity and are used for different kinds of For example, J (Joule) can be used to indicate measurements. energy or moment of force.

THE UNITS OF MEASURE PROJECT Additional input from other organizations and a team of inter- Managed by Energistics, the Units of Measure project is an effort ested experts has also been incorporated. that encompasses participants from both the Professional Petroleum The final deliverables of the project include units of measure Data Management (PPDM) Association and Energistics member sets in both XML and Excel, the coalescing of units into quantity bases. It has evolved into a Standards Leadership Council project, classes, unit symbol grammar specifications, guidance for creating where it draws its requirements from the PPDM Association, the and managing unit dictionaries, and mappings to POSC 2.2, EPSG Society of Exploration Geophysicists and the archival history of 8.1, OpenSpirit, and RP66 V1 and V2. Energistics/POSC. Units of measure data has been pulled from the following THE FUTURE OF UNITS OF MEASURE organizations: The new Energistics Unit of Measure Standard uses a combination • Energistics of the techniques previously discussed. It defines a unit symbol • TIBCO OpenSpirit by TIBCO Software Inc grammar specification that allows computer parsing of the sym- • The PPDM Association bols, but it pre-defines the supported set of symbols that conform • The U.S. National Institute of Standards & Technology to that grammar specification. • Bureau International des Poids et Mesures That is, the full combinatorial explosion of possibilities is not • The International Organization for Standardization supported. Pre-defining the supported unit set is similar to the • The American Petroleum Institute approach taken by ISO 15926 where a metre is indicated by “9561” • The Society for Petroleum Engineers and by the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and • The Society of Exploration Geophysicists Electronic Business units, where a metre is indicated by “MTR.” • The International Association of Oil and Gas Producers If we think of the symbol as a unique code, then the grammar • The European Petroleum Survey Group specification allows us to create derived codes from basic codes. • Schlumberger Limited This combination provides the flexibility of the ISO technique with • The International Gemological Institute the more focused support of the code technique while using a more

• API RP66, V1 and V2 user-friendly code. MCVAY/THINKSTOCK RYAN PHOTO:

12 | Journal of the Professional Petroleum Data Management Association Feature

The Energistics conversion data specifies a precision of about the same underlying framework. Units of measure are an essential seven digits, which is deemed adequate by most authorities fo- part of the technical and semantic framework upon which integra- cused on written documentation (the user interface). tion is built. However, the underlying assumption about conversion factors Plans for implementation and adoption of the new units of is that they fundamentally represent unity. For example, the factor measure are already in the queue. The PPDM Association will “2.54 centimetres per inch” represents a ratio of two identical phys- incorporate the standards into its data model reference set, mak- ical lengths and therefore no error or change in semantics will be ing it easier for companies to deploy units of measure accurately introduced if an inch value is multiplied by that ratio. The new and consistently. The PPDM Association had a units of measure Energistics Unit of Measure Standard takes the view that all conver- dataset in existence; however, the organization has determined sion data should be captured to the maximum precision possible. that this new set is better, more consistent and complete, and This will allow very precise conversions on modern (64+ bit) much more useful. architectures using double-precision calculations. Any presump- Implementing a standardized set of units of measure correctly tion about rounding to a reasonable measurement precision should is not an easy thing to do, but sharing ideas and best practices will be reserved for the user interface. Conveniently, the international help the transition occur more easily. Losing the ambiguity that community has been working for many years to redefine the most is currently in many existing data sets will be a significant step common unit concepts so that they have an exact conversion to SI, forward for the industry as a whole. and the new dictionary explicitly captures that knowledge. However, many companies may have difficulties with their leg- Because the dictionary uses consistent grammar for construct- acy systems. Anticipating that, specialized software and consulting the symbols, the conversion data for each derived symbol can ing services will emerge to help manage this problem effectively. be tested against the conversion data of its underlying components. In addition, prefixed symbols are explicitly flagged so that the conversion data can be tested against the prefix’s multiplier. As an additional validation, the dictionary captures underlying Implementing a standardized set of units definitions such as an inch being 2.54 centimetres. The quantity class is used to group all units that represent the of measure correctly is not an easy thing same underlying measurement concept, such as mass, length, to do, but sharing ideas and best practices mass per length, mass per mass and volume per volume. This will help the transition occur more easily. knowledge can be used to constrain the units that are allowed to be specified for a property. For example, a relational database management system column that is categorized as a mass can use triggers to constrain an associated unit symbol to be in the set defined for the mass class. The inclusion of dimensional analysis makes it easier to map external concepts to a class. There are 11 quantity classes that are categorized as being “dimensionless.” Ten of these classes represent ratios of alike quantities, such as volume per volume, that represent a special The Units of Measure project has produced new unit sets and case of dimensionless and use base units that explicitly reflect received and reviewed public comments, and it is in the process of their underlying nature (m3/m3). This special handling of ratios producing new sets with new requirements. The workgroup has is consistent with SI recommendations and assists in understand- already seen take-up from the Society of Petroleum Engineers’ ing differences in the ~100 units, which would otherwise just be Drilling Systems Automation Technical Section, the OPC Foundation’s dimensionless within the context of something like RP66. Unified Architecture and Oilware Inc., with other organizations, While the dictionary supports SI recommendations, such as such as the PPDM Association, ready to implement. using the symbol m3/m3 for volume ratios, it also recognizes the As the Units of Measure matures, there is real value for the need for legacy viewpoints such as allowing an unqualified “%” industry in adoption—it will provide a solid foundation for key symbol for all classes that represent a ratio of alike quantities. In modules in PPDM; validate Energistics data in the context of an addition, it adds some specialized percentage units such as %[vol] existing relational data model; improve the functionality of the for “percent by volume”, where the square bracket notation indi- PPDM Association database; promote interoperability between cates a variation of the preceding concept. PPDM databases; enable improved data sharing with non-PPDM Association systems; and promote the implementation of a high IMPLEMENTATION AND ADOPTION level SQL function interface for all unit of measure operations, Today’s technology benefits us the most when we can integrate including data import, conversion, query, display and data export. different systems into a unified data source. Business intelligence On a more human level, adoption of standardized units of tools, geographics information systems and Big Data analytics all measure encourages what we all want—a smarter and more

PHOTO: RYAN MCVAY/THINKSTOCK RYAN PHOTO: perform more consistently and accurately if they are working from productive way to do business.

Foundations | Fall 2014 | 13 Saskatchewan’s upstream oil and gas industry is a major driver of the province’s economic engine, providing about 36,000 person-years of direct and indirect employ- ment. The industry is expected to contrib- ute approximately $1.6 billion in revenue to the provincial economy in 2013-14.

VISION The importance of the petroleum and natural gas industry to Saskatchewan’s All’s “well” in prosperity is one of the reasons the province undertook a major revitalization project to overhaul its major business Saskatchewan processes and systems, says Dancsok. Known as the Process Renewal and Infrastructure Management Enhancement Saskatchewan pragmatism leads the way to (PRIME) Project, the multi-year, multi- adopting the Canadian Well Identification System million dollar program will deliver an integrated information system that will enable industry to complete regularly performed business activities with the province online. It’s this system—the Integrated Resource Information System (IRIS)—where the CWIS standards come into play, says Dancsok. By Danette Flegel, Director of PRIME, Ministry of the Economy, “The ministry has a clear vision of Government of Saskatchewan what it wants to achieve through PRIME, including how data in IRIS will be used in the development and regulation of the province’s resources,” says Dancsok. “Core to that vision is the desire to implement s the province that “Adopting parts of CWIS, and particu- industry best practices and to standardize A pioneered ATMs and debit larly adopting PPDM’s well-established with other jurisdictions where practical. cards in Canada and found- terminology to identify well and facility in- CWIS was developed by, and in consul- ed universal health care, it’s no surprise frastructure components, are examples of tation with, industry and regulators, and that Saskatchewan is leading the way the province taking practical steps to make is based on PPDM’s globally accepted once more. Saskatchewan is the first it easier for industry to do business standards. Adopting CWIS for IRIS simply jurisdiction and regulator in the country in Saskatchewan.” made sense.” to adopt components of the Professional The Prairie province traditionally as- Implementing CWIS requires wholesale Petroleum Data Management (PPDM) sociated with agriculture is also Canada’s changes to established data systems. Dancsok Association’s Canadian Well Identification second-largest oil producer, accounting for admits Saskatchewan was in an enviable System (CWIS). 15 percent of total crude oil production. position when it kicked off PRIME’s Well “Saskatchewan is known in the oil and Saskatchewan is the sixth-largest oil- and Facility Infrastructure Project (WFIP), gas industry for its pragmatic, common- producing jurisdiction in North America the project that’s developing the ministry’s sense regulatory approach,” says Ed Dancsok, behind Alberta, Texas, North Dakota, Alaska well and facility infrastructure module on assistant deputy minister responsible for and California. An estimated 29,900 op- IRIS. Since it was already in the process the petroleum and natural gas division of erating oil wells in the province produced of renewing its business support systems, the Government of Saskatchewan’s Ministry 177.9 million barrels (28.3 million cubic the ministry could also consider other

of the Economy. metres) worth $13.7 billion in 2013. enhancements. GOCE/THINKSTOCKPHOTO:

14 | Journal of the Professional Petroleum Data Management Association Feature

“Along with modernizing our business recognize or otherwise reconcile unnec- processes and replacing our legacy tech- essary differences in their standards and nology systems, we took the opportunity regulations” (newwestpartnershiptrade.ca). to look at our well identification system,” Dancsok believes the adoption of the CWIS says Debby Westerman, WFIP’s lead subject standards aligns well with intent of the New matter expert. “Our legacy Well ID had so West Partnership. much embedded meaning attached to it that “If others follow suit, the adoption of it became clumsy and difficult to use it for its common well terminology and identifi- primary purpose: to quickly and unambigu- cation may mitigate miscommunication, ously identify and retrieve information solidify the soundness of the data collected, related to a well or a well component.” and thereby increasing confidence in that Compounding Saskatchewan’s chal- data,” says Dancsok. “Regardless of where lenges with its well identification system is the data comes from—from a data vendor, the prevalence of horizontal drilling in the a regulator or a company—everyone will province, adds Westerman. Of the 3,371 oil have confidence that the data is of the wells drilled in 2013, 2,433, or 72 percent, highest calibre and value possible. It will were horizontal. The ministry’s current well save government and industry time and will information system (WIS), which has been likely avoid costly errors due to ambiguity.” in use since 1985, was originally designed Trudy Curtis, chief executive officer of to support vertical wells. Functionality for PPDM, states it’s that spirit of collaboration horizontal wells was added to WIS in the and cooperation that makes Saskatchewan mid-1990s, and other functionality was a leader and ambassador for the adoption patched onto the system as time progressed of CWIS in Canada. Besides endorsing the and the industry changed. initiative from the start, Saskatchewan One of the first steps the ministry took to make significant improvements to how also provided subject matter experts like to begin standardizing its well identifi- wells are identified and how its data is Westerman to the standards working group. cation system was adopting the Unique structured, it could not adopt the full-scale “Saskatchewan recognizes that trans- Well Identifier (UWI) in December 2011 PPDM data model—at least not yet. parent, consistent and accurate data is core as part of PRIME’s Registry Saskatchewan “One of the reasons we looked at to managing the development of its signifi- Inclusion Project, which oversaw the im- PPDM’s data model is because it’s compre- cant natural resources,” says Curtis. “Their plementation of Saskatchewan production hensive,” says Westerman. “We have to common-sense approach to adopting CWIS reporting onto Petrinex. move over 100,000 well files into IRIS, and makes it a role model for other jurisdic- “While the UWI is a useful identifier, it changing all of their attributes to PPDM’s tions. For Saskatchewan, it’s the principles has some limitations to the effective manage- just wasn’t practical at this point in time. of the standards that matter; how they are ment of well information,” says Westerman, What the data model did do, however, implemented can be tailored to each organ- adding that UWI will continue to be an was help guide how we, as a regulator, ization’s business needs.” attribute in IRIS. CWIS is being adopted structure our IRIS data to ensure that it’s True to his Saskatchewan roots, Dancsok to complement UWI because it provides a PPDM-friendly, so full adoption of the data is reluctant to hang the trailblazer mantle unique, permanent identifier that does not model may be possible over time.” on his province’s role in CWIS. imply temporal order or meaning. “The The ministry is implementing PPDM’s “Our province and our people are notori- ministry wants to ensure the system it What is a Well terminology identified in the ously resourceful. Throughout our history, uses to identify a well and its components CWIS standards into IRIS, which both Dancsok we’ve led monumental advancements in does not have any embedded meaning that and Westerman call an excellent step forward Canada, but we did so not with the intent could impact how the data is interpreted in its internal and cross-jurisdictional stan- of being a leader,” says Dancsok. “It was an now or in the future.” dardization efforts. Saskatchewan, British unintentional consequence of our citizens’ Columbia and Alberta are partners in the practicality. Our adoption of CWIS, and our DETOUR New West Partnership Trade Agreement. desire to develop the province’s oil and gas Westerman notes that even though the Along with creating Canada’s largest barrier- resources responsibly using the best data ministry is revamping its well and facility free, interprovincial market, the agreement possible, is a demonstration of Saskatchewan’s

PHOTO: GOCE/THINKSTOCKPHOTO: infrastructure business systems and is able also commits the partners to “mutually pragmatism.”

Foundations | Fall 2014 | 15 MORE THAN MAPPING

HAS YOUR DATA MANAGEMENT EVOLVED THROUGH GENERATIONS OF PPDM?

Petrosys knows how to keep E&P data fresh and relevant.

SOFTWARE SERVICES CONNECTIVITY DATA MANAGEMENT

As the business of finding and developing oil and gas becomes more challenging and efficient, the PPDM data model has evolved to better describe the underlying processes. The PPDM databases built by Petrosys over the past two decades have been effectively migrated along this evolutionary path, improving performance and functionality whilst sustaining the quality and integrity of the content. Petrosys continues to provide expert support for PPDM data management when and where needed. To learn more go to www.petrosys.com.au/products-services/data-management/. Feature

qualify as a member-in-training. They must then accumulate four years of experience in the oilpatch in order to apply for full membership. APEGA oversees the National Professional Practice Examination for each Certified discipline; those who pass receive certification as a professional engineer in Alberta. Throughout subsequent years, members are expected to continue their profession- The PPDM Association and industry participants al advancement by attending relevant industry courses taught by post-secondary are finalizing the process to establish professional institutions and accredited private and accreditation for petroleum data analysts public institutions. Some data management certifica- By Gordon Cope tion programs already exist, like DAMA International’s Certified Data Management Professional certification program and the Association for Information and Image Management’s Certified Information Professional exam, but nothing exists yet otal S.A., based in Paris, can look to see if someone has a certificate, for data management in the exploration T operates in 130 countries it makes my life easier,” says Nolte. “[A and production space, specifically. An ex- around the world. In Canada, system of formal certification] would have ploration and production certification pro- its wholly owned subsidiary, Total E&P tremendous value to the industry.” gram would have many benefits. “From an Canada Ltd., has comprehensive holdings oil company perspective, human resources in the oilsands, including partnerships in WHAT IS CERTIFICATION? will have something that they can formally the Surmont, Fort Hills, Joslyn and Northern The professional certification process is use to help compensate staff,” says Nolte. Lights assets. quickly moving toward reality. “One of the “From the data manager’s perspective, they Exploring, developing and producing major goals of the PPDM [the Professional will have formal recognition of their skills oilsands assets requires collecting and Petroleum Data Management Association] and capabilities.” analyzing huge amounts of data. Data and petroleum industry members is to Several years ago, the PPDM Association managers must be familiar not only with professionally certify petroleum manage- and industry members organized the how data is qualified, stored and retrieved, ment professionals,” says Trudy Curtis, Petroleum Education Task Force (PETF) to but also with such oil and gas basics as director and chief executive officer of the catalogue the training that a petroleum data well logs, geology, seismic, land, business PPDM Association. “To that end, the PPDM manager needs and to identify and advance practices and geospatial systems. Association has established the Certified all the necessary aspects of certification. Finding the right personnel for the job Petroleum Data Analyst (CPDA) certifi- The PETF determined that, rather than can be a daunting task. “We have from four cation program as the first offering in a having a specific requirement regarding a to eight staff in the GeoInformation group,” number of petroleum data management degree or diploma, candidates for certifica- explains Marc Nolte, geoinformation man- professional certifications.” tion would have to demonstrate competency, ager with Total E&P Canada. “Recently, we Generally, professional certification experience and knowledge. “We have found advertised an opening and we had over 50 involves several standardized factors. The that competent data managers come from applications.” Association of Professional Engineers and many different educational backgrounds,” Data managers come from all walks of Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA), for in- says Megan Sutherland, project coordinator life, from engineering and computer sci- stance, is an association established by the at the PPDM Association. “There will be a ence to geology and geophysics; essential- Government of Alberta to act as a regula- minimum time period requirement—three ly, they are people who show an affinity for tory agency and oversee certification. to five years—in which they [must] demon- data. Unfortunately, there is no formal pro- Those wishing to gain APEGA initial strate experience, however.” cess to certify them as data management membership must show a bachelor’s de- Candidates must also demonstrate professionals. “From my perspective, if I gree in science or engineering in order to competency and knowledge by passing

Foundations | Fall 2014 | 17 Feature

an exam that focuses on eight core areas: globally (Calgary; Houston; Paris; The and register professional petroleum data data governance, data analysis, data qual- Woodlands, Texas; Doha, Qatar; Jakarta, analysts as well as administer oversight ity management, data security, knowledge Indonesia; Oklahoma City; Perth, Australia and governance of the profession. “There of spatial location data, knowledge of and two locations outside of London). are dozens of procedures that are needed to exploration and production, master data Feedback from the pilot exams has be created,” says Sutherland. “They include management and communication. allowed PETF and Yardstick to refine the how to go through the application process, In the oil and gas industry, data testing process. “We are still working professional development, appeals, privacy, management professionals generally fall through the creation of two exams,” says renewals and re-certification.” into four main disciplines: data analysts, Nolte. “You have to make sure that there In the near future, PPDM and PETF geospatial analysts, business analysts are no natural enemies—questions that anticipate a flurry of activity. “We expect and records analysts. “We discussed essentially ask the same thing in different there will be a lot of pent-up demand in the launching exams for all four disciplines ways. Our goal is to have the exams ready first six months to take the test,” says Nolte. at the same time, but eventually decided by the fourth quarter of 2014. Data ana- “We’ll then be getting a lot of feedback to do the entire process for data analysts lysts with three to five years’ experience from data analysts and employers in order first,” says Nolte. can then take the exam and, if they pass, to refine the process.” Starting in 2013, PETF began working receive PPDM’s CPDA designation.” In the longer run, much work remains with Yardstick, a testing and training to be done. “Launching the CPDA certifica- consultancy, to develop an exam. “We put WHAT STILL NEEDS TO BE DONE tion process is a means of demonstrating together over 360 questions relating to The PETF is putting together a certifica- to the sector the value and competency eight core competencies and 26 sub-core tion handbook to outline the policies and of data analysts,” says Curtis. “We look competencies,” says Nolte. procedures that will eventually allow the forward to extending the process to include In April and May 2014, volunteers creation of an independent, accredited geospatial analysts, business analysts and underwent pilot exams in 10 locations body with the powers to formally certify records analysts.”

2014 CALGARY DATA MANAGEMENT SYMPOSIUM, TRADESHOW, AND AGM INFORMATION GIVES YOU AN EDGE Get the most in-depth news, data and trends from the wellsites and boardrooms of Canada’s oilpatch. A continuous stream of timely oilpatch news articles Topical data sets and statistics gathered by our researchers Personalized news streams and notifications with MyDOB Access to news on the go with your tablet or smartphone October 21-23 Delta Lodge at Kananaskis Not a Email today to get a free two-week trial: subscriber [email protected] yet?

For details and registration visit:

www.ppdm.org dailyoilbulletin.com

18 | Journal of the Professional Petroleum Data Management Association Technical Article

10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT WELL LOGS

In today’s fast-everything society, I am often asked for a short set of rules for checking the quality of well logs. Since you asked….

By Martin Storey, senior consultant, Well Data Quality Assurance Pty Ltd

ow does one distill several Derived (often referred to as evaluated, Examples of sources for the different H decades of learning on rigs processed or interpreted) data is produced log data categories are shown in the table and in tape libraries, data from original data, either within the organ- below, which is not exhaustive. The inter- rooms and offices into a few snappy points? ization or by an external party, and could rupted lines indicate that the distinctions As with many questions, the answer conceivably be recreated. Derived data al- are not absolute. depends on the circumstances. The first most always has an interpretative character, As subtle as these distinctions may seem rules must therefore have to do with framing so it could have more than one version. to some, they largely determine the activ- the situation. In real life, the distinction between ities required to control the quality and original and derived data is not always manage the non-quality of the log data. It Distinguish between historical data clear-cut, particularly in the past decade is therefore important to keep data sets of 1 and incoming data. when much original data has already been different categories distinct and readily With historical (also known as legacy, old subjected to various forms of processing identifiable. or pre-existing) data, what is available is prior to its initial delivery. The original query has now morphed generally all there is, and its quality con- Log data interpreters tend to use into four distinct questions, and the first two trol consists of verifying that it is what is mainly original data, while other users rules do not actually serve to accept or reject expected for the particular data set. of log data tend to use derived data. data sets. We are getting to that, but we are With incoming (also referred to as new Original data is often voluminous and not yet done with fundamental principles. or future) data, the quality control should raw, while derived data should have been include verifying that all the technical conditioned and validated, or generated Data must be managed for the short specifications of the contract for the prod- from data that has been conditioned and 3 and the long term concurrently. uct are met and, if they are not, engaging validated, and is therefore presumed The point of this rule is that managing only with the supplier until they are. safer. However, different applications for the immediate requirements and initial In practice, however, contractual speci- may require the logs to be conditioned workflows is insufficient and ultimately fications are rarely detailed or exhaustive, differently. damaging. and the incoming data quality control is shared between the operations and petrophysics departments, without either side LOG CATEGORIES HISTORICAL INCOMING following a precise script. • Own records or databases • Data acquisition company for own or • Data vendor joint-venture-project ongoing operations ORIGINAL Distinguish between original data and • Provider of public domain data • Data processing company 2 derived data. • Merger or acquisition • Asset swap Original (also known as raw, acquisition or • Own records or databases received) data is the record from an oper- • Processed data vendor • Data acquisition company for own or ation done once and reflects the circum- DERIVED • Provider of public domain interpretative joint-venture-project ongoing operations stances at that one particular time, never data • Data processing company • Merger or acquisition to be repeated exactly.

Foundations | Fall 2014 | 19 Technical Article

Log data is generally “hot” for a short Original data must be obtained and exploitation or reprocessing. Because of a period after it was acquired or generated, 5 stored in the original format, and that lack of a unique digital log data exchange but the initial demands on the data are often format is usually DLIS or LIS, not LAS. standard, many data exporter software quite light: for most operational decisions or DLIS frequently contains contextual informa- programs have produced corrupted files, rush evaluations, high-quality data is not re- tion found nowhere else, while LAS generally which reside incognito in our archives. quired and the decisions can be made on the contains very little contextual information. basis of preliminary data. The data becomes DLIS and LAS are among the most com- For the exploitation of any log data, hot again at various and largely unpredictable mon digital formats for log data. DLIS and 6 context is king and must be preserved. times later on. Eventually, the demands on its predecessor, LIS, are binary formats, Data without context can only be used the data may become more and more specific, while LAS files are written in ASCII and by making arbitrary assumptions that in- requiring higher and broader data quality. can be read using any text reader. LAS was crease the organization’s risk unnecessar- People are often surprised to hear that first introduced in the late 1980s by the ily. According to a Society of Professional old data can be as good as modern data, Canadian Well Logging Society and was Well Log Analysts article, Current but it is, and the main impediment to the use originally intended for exchanging basic Status of Well Logging Data Deliverables of old data is not its lack of intrinsic value, digital log data on floppy disks between and A Vision Forward, the first context- but its availability and incompleteness. The personal computers in a quick and easy-to- ual feature of a log is its print header, lifespan of data is longer than our own, and use format. It succeeded, and 25 years later including the reference metadata, the as temporary custodians, we must preserve it remains a convenient format for moving remarks section, the description of the its value for future exploitation. log data around. logging tool string configuration and Let us now get practical. The specifications of LAS have been hopefully more. There is a lot of other enhanced, and LAS has the potential to contextual information relating to logs, Original logs normally come in two contain almost any log data. In practice, including the operations sequence, the 4 forms—print and tape—and both however, LAS files are never complete and detailed drilling history, mud compos- are required. generally contain only the main curves. ition and tidal conditions, and any of » The print (or film or image) is frequently DLIS files are much more likely to contain these may have a critical impact on data delivered as a digital raster or vector the ancillary curves, acquisition param- exploitation. image file, such as a TIFF or PDF. eters and contextual information required This is not an anecdotal point. Good » The tape (or CD or digital data) is generally for the exploitation of the data. DLIS files interpreters should verify that their con- a digital file in Digital Log Interchange can be large, with numerous curves that clusions are consistent with other relevant Standard (DLIS) or Log ASCII Standard can disorient the casual user; however, information. The more thoroughly that (LAS) format, but historically other these complete files are required in the consistency can be verified, the more formats have been used, such as the Log record to ensure that the data can be evalu- confidence there will be in the recommen- Information Standard (LIS) and TIF. ated and interpreted in the future. dations used to support the organization’s Both are needed because each may If you must also receive data deliveries decisions. contain information that is essential for the in LAS files, the consistency of the DLIS In many countries, the combination of valid exploitation of the data and that is and LAS data sets needs to be checked the original log prints, log tapes and the found nowhere else. The image below shows systematically. The LAS set should be operator’s end of well report (sometimes a barely legible section of a log print that a subset of the DLIS set, and the curve called a final well report or a completion contains critical information about the data names, data sampling, depths and data report), complete with attachments and and the depth reference. This information is values should be exactly the same. As an appendices, can normally provide all the not on the tape and ignoring it could result in empirical rule, any conversion from one information required for the present and overlooking a prospective interval or per- format to another results in the loss of future exploitation of the original log data. forating the wrong formation in a well. data required by the technical experts for The completeness of the data sets 7 should be assessed and captured using a data inventory. Data sets vary in form and content due to their companies of origin, their locations, the time when the data was generated, the vintage of the tools and software used, the operator’s specific requirements, etc. There is therefore no standard delivery. Example of essential information Some data sets contain several different

found exclusively on a log print. prints, log quality control prints, image IMAGE: AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC RECORD

20 | Journal of the Professional Petroleum Data Management Association Technical Article

prints, processing results, time-based Perform basic checks on the original by the data management group include the data, raw and corrected data, special tool 9 data prints. tape’s legibility using the organization’s documentation and several successive Once the metadata has been verified, the normal readers and the presence of at least deliverables. A good way to stay organized data itself should be checked. From the one file per log section. is for the main people involved—opera- data management perspective, the main Some logs are acquired and put on tions geologist, petrophysicist, reservoir items to consider are: the tape but not presented in print. For engineer—to compile an inventory of the » Prints should have a header and a tail so instance, logs recorded while running in expected data beforehand. This is not that it is clear that no section of the log print the hole and a gamma ray log recorded in always done, but it helps everyone clarify has been torn out or is otherwise missing. casing up to the ground level. the content and timing of deliverables and » In between the header and the tail, in Again, metadata is a frequent problem plan their work accordingly. approximate top-to-bottom order, most with tapes: is the tape correctly labelled and Later, the inventory should be a central prints should include: is each file on the tape clearly identified? feature of the data management system, so • a full log header including remarks; Both the logging date and the tape creation that a prospective user can establish what • tool sketch with the sensor measure date must be specified on the label. When a data set contains and whether its various points; several versions of a tape exist, the latest one components are available. • a well sketch; normally supersedes all previous ones, which • one or several log sections, preferably should be destroyed to minimize future con- Validate the metadata first. clearly labelled (ex. main log; repeat fusion—even if all are labelled “final.” 8 The validation of the prints’ metadata section; correlation pass; main log, The checking of derived data is even is essentially the confirmation that the 1:200 scale); less generic, although similar principles header data is correct, clear and coherent. • a repeat section in the case of forma- apply: the data must be fully identified and Bad metadata is a major contributor tion evaluation logs; complete, and it must contain all neces- to data loss, according to Guy Holmes in • parameter listings for each log sec- sary contextual information or references, Search and Rescue: The Data Lost and Found tion; and and preferably be stored in a future-proof Initiative. Not finding a data item when it • a tool calibration section. format. Actual checks and processes will is needed can result in severe opportunity » Modern logs should also contain: depend on the organization’s systems. loss and additional costs. Although it may • a job chronology; Well log data quality assurance is not not appear in the record, more than one • a depth information box; straightforward because no one person in well has been drilled to re-acquire data that • a survey listing; and the chain of custody is at the same time ful- could no longer be found. It is often said that • quality-control plots. ly informed, competent and enabled to do data acquisition companies are very good » Some logs are presented on logarithmic it all. From the perspective of data manage- at doing the hard stuff and not so good at scales. If the grid scales are not consistent ment and with the aim to “provide the right doing the easy stuff. with the data scales serious interpretation data at the right time to the right people,” In fairness, metadata is often provided errors can occur, so it is wise to check it is essential to work with all stakeholders to data acquisition companies by the oper- these, too. to maximize the quality of the incoming ating company. Getting the reference data, as well as to minimize quality erosion information right is basic quality assur- Basic checks on the original during its life cycle. ance and everyone’s responsibility. Well 10 data tape. In essence, most of the rules apply to coordinates and elevations are notoriously Many things can go wrong with log data, other categories of well data, for instance, unreliable on logs, but more disconcert- and there is no set list of rules to check or a mud log data or even core analysis data. The ingly, so are wellbore names, which are certain way to assure quality. likelihood that data will be exploited for its often the main handle of a data set. Data In spite of several competent people original purpose, as well as for initially un- sets are surprisingly often registered having been involved in the production of foreseen purposes, is directly related to its against the wrong wellbore—Laurel-1 the log data, such as the logging engineer, quality and availability: the better these are, instead of Laurel-1ST1—or against the a wellsite witness, line managers and a the more easily the data can be exploited wrong well name—Hardy 1 instead of petrophysicist, errors often slip in. and the more value can be obtained from it, Hardy-1—rendering the data difficult to Moreover, each set delivered is liable to even decades after it was acquired. locate. Validating the metadata may be have new errors that were not in the previ- feasible with programmatic rules if this ous delivery—perhaps a wholly or partially Martin Storey started in the oil and gas in- does not interfere with the data user’s missing curve, missing vector data or a dustry as a logging engineer, then became a day-to-day work, and it may be best driven sampling interval set slightly incorrectly at wellsite petroleum engineer and a petrophys- by the data management team. The PPDM 0.152 metres instead of 0.1524 metres. icist. He is now an independent practitioner, Association’s What Is A Well is a valuable Every tape delivered must therefore be consultant and trainer in petrophysics and

IMAGE: AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC RECORD reference for this. verified. Aspects that can easily be checked data management based in Australia.

Foundations | Fall 2014 | 21 Upcoming Events UE

SYMPOSIUM LUNCHEONS

OCTOBER 21–23, 2014 2014 CALGARY OCTOBER 7, 2014 DECEMBER 8, 2014 JANUARY 21, 2015 DATA MANAGEMENT MIDLAND Q4 DATA HOUSTON Q4 DATA PERTH Q1 DATA MANAGEMENT SYMPOSIUM, TRADESHOW MANAGEMENT LUNCHEON MANAGEMENT LUNCHEON LUNCHEON AND AGM Midland, Texas, USA Houston, Texas, USA Perth, Australia Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada OCTOBER 14, 2014 DECEMBER 9, 2014 JANUARY 27, 2015 OKLAHOMA CITY Q4 DATA DENVER Q4 DATA DENVER Q1 DATA MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT LUNCHEON MANAGEMENT LUNCHEON LUNCHEON OCTOBER 2014 Oklahoma City, Denver, Colorado, USA Denver, Colorado, USA S M T W T F S Oklahoma, USA 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 JANUARY 13, 2015 JANUARY 29, 2015 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 NOVEMBER 11, 2014 OKLAHOMA CITY Q1 DATA HOUSTON Q1 DATA 26 27 28 29 30 31 TULSA Q4 DATA MANAGEMENT LUNCHEON MANAGEMENT LUNCHEON MANAGEMENT LUNCHEON Oklahoma City, Houston, Texas, USA NOVEMBER 2014 Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA Oklahoma, USA S M T W T F S 1 FEBRUARY 10, 2015 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 NOVEMBER 18, 2014 JANUARY 14, 2015 DALLAS/FORT WORTH Q1 DATA 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 DALLAS/FORT WORTH Q4 DATA CALGARY Q1 DATA MANAGEMENT LUNCHEON 23/30 24 25 26 27 28 29 MANAGEMENT LUNCHEON MANAGEMENT LUNCHEON Dallas/Fort Worth, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, USA Calgary, Alberta, Canada Texas, USA

DECEMBER 2014 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 NOVEMBER 26, 2014 JANUARY 20, 2015 FEBRUARY 17, 2015 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 PERTH Q4 DATA MIDLAND Q1 DATA TULSA Q1 DATA MANAGEMENT 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 MANAGEMENT LUNCHEON MANAGEMENT LUNCHEON LUNCHEON 28 29 30 31 Perth, Australia Midland, Texas, USA Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA

JANUARY 2015 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 UPCOMING TRAINING SESSIONS 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

NOVEMBER 3–4, 2014 JANUARY 5–6, 2015 FEBRUARY 2–4, 2015 FEBRUARY 2015 OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC DALLAS PUBLIC TRAINING CALGARY PUBLIC TRAINING S M T W T F S TRAINING Dallas, Texas, USA Calgary, Alberta, Canada 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Oklahoma City, 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Oklahoma, USA 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 JANUARY 7–9, 2015 HOUSTON PUBLIC TRAINING Schedule subject to change Houston, Texas, USA

VISIT PPDM.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION

22 | Journal of the Professional Petroleum Data Management Association

Become a PPDm member One membership fee; over $100 million worth of knowledge. Now that’s ROI.

Members of the Professional Petroleum Data Management Association get immediate access to a wealth of tools and knowledge in the field of oil and gas data management standards, best practices, and education, including: Standards • PPDM 3.8: The leading open standards data model in the industry • What is a Well? • Well Status and Classification Business rules: best practices for creating and managing master data stores containing the most trusted data for an organization Knowledge sharing • Training and certification • Events: workshops, conferences, user group meetings • Forums, wiki pages, blogs Quarterly subscription to Foundations

Membership in the PPDM Association is one of the best investments you can make. For more information on membership packages, visit us online at ppdm.org.

Suite 860, 736 8th Ave SW Calgary, AB T2P 1H4 Canada Email: [email protected] Phone: 403-660-7817