AAPG Exchange Format for Transfer of Geologic and Petroleum Data

Brian R. Shaw, Harry Waller

Petroleum geology has been undergoing a radical transformation in recent years with the rapid development of sophisticated software and computer hardware specifically designed for petroleum and natural gas exploration and exploitation. The transition of corporate efforts from manual to computer-based evaluations and analyses has affected all levels of corporations, from major integrated giants to independent consultants. With the availability of cost-efficient and affordable personal computers and the emergence of highly sophisticated workstations and special-purpose software, individual geologists now are directly and daily involved in using digital data. Although this transformation to digital activity has provided exceptional abilities for the detailed and rapid assess ent of data, it has created several new and complex problems.

One of the most pressing problems is transferring and exchanging data between sources. Possibly the most significant issue facing our industry is the ability to communicate. The expense and huge effort involved in all aspects of data management are expanding at a rate proportional to the number of individual data bases and software formats being created daily. There must be a common, public format to exchange information to ensure the transfer of data between all aspects of our industry. The AAPG has the opportunity to take a leadership role in addressing this problem by creating an exchange format.

There are five basic objectives for the proposed exchange format: (1) provide a mechanism for the exchange of digital geologic data structures, (2) provide an interchange model for the development of related geologic data, (3) facilitate effective communication between commercial data and users, (4) provide a public format independent of proprietary formats and implementation environments, and (5) provide a basis for future growth and development.

The proposed exchange format is intended for use by the general geologic community but is based upon many concepts currently implemented in the petroleum and natural gas industry. As such, there are no predefined terms or standards either implied or required. Eventually the format must evolve into relational structures, which will require a concept and relation definition; but there is no intent to impose compliance or conformity of the data itself. Ultimately, the effectiveness of this exchange format will be proven by the user community.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91022©1989 AAPG Annual Convention, April 23-26, 1989, San Antonio, Texas.