Computer Use at Indiana Geological Survey

John A. Rupp

The use of computers within the Indiana Geological Survey can be divided into three areas: research, data-base management, and publication preparation. All projects that are currently undertaken at the Survey involve interaction with computers in at least one of these areas; many entail all three. As with many organizations, the Survey accesses computers to expedite data processing that would be prohibitively slow or unwieldy by manual methods.

Computer-aided research includes projects within the fields of geochemistry, geophysics, and coal and petroleum geology. Computer use includes graphic portrayals, statistical analyses, accuracy control for analytical equipment, and solution and interpretation of complex analytical problems.

The petroleum data base contains basic information derived from records of approximately 70,000 wells in Indiana. Data for each well include: operator name, well identity, operational dates, completion type and interval, initial potential, producing stratigraphic unit, total depth, and deepest stratigraphic unit penetrated. The stratigraphic tops of selected units, their values relative to sea level, and the source of the values are itemized. Additionally, site-specific location, ground elevation of the well, and itemization of all data on file at the Survey are given. The data are formatted to be easily accessed by programs that interface with commercially available systems for data-base management and other manipulative software.

Future data-base management and research at the Survey will be aided by increasing use of interactive computer systems.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91041©1987 AAPG Eastern Section Meeting, Columbus, Ohio, October 7-10, 1987.