Abstract: AAPG Oil and Gas Field Data Bank Project, United States and Canada

John T. Rouse, Robert S. Agatston, Jerlene Bright, Richard M. Procter

In 1973 the AAPG Research Committee started work on the "Oil and Gas Field Data Bank and Map Project of the United States and Canada." The purpose of the project is to check, update, and enhance the data in a functional oil and gas field and pool data base, developed by the University of Oklahoma Office of Research Administration under a contract with the U.S. Geological Survey. It is referred to as the Petroleum Data System (PDS) which has been developed over the past 6 years. This system is supported by the General Information Processing System (GIPSY) developed at The University of Oklahoma. GIPSY is a complete information-management system with utility provisions for building, moving, protecting, updating, and deleting information.

The PDS data base contains available nonproprietary geologic and other related information, such as the official field and pool name, location, and discovery date; producing formation(s), age, depth, and thickness; geologic basin; cumulative oil and/or gas productions; API gravity; reservoir lithology; porosity; and oldest formation penetrated. In some fields proved acreage, reservoir temperature, pressure, gas/oil ratio, and sulfur content are included. The file does not contain all information on every field, but includes as much information as is available publicly.

More than 100 AAPG volunteer workers throughout the United States and Canada are contributing their time and talents to the project. A grant to the AAPG from the U.S. Geological Survey covers operating expenses.

The Petroleum Data System is being updated constantly and enhanced with data from many other sources such as the International Oil Scouts Association and AAPG's Committee on Statistics of Drilling. However, in some areas, the sparsity of data makes it nearly impossible to complete most items for individual fields.

The PDS file is another useful tool in exploring for new oil and gas reserves. It is available through time-sharing at the University of Oklahoma.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90972©1976 AAPG-SEPM Annual Convention and Exhibition, New Orleans, LA