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Web-based Outcrop Digital Analog Database (WODAD): Archiving Carbonate Platform Margins*

By

J. A. M. Kenter1 and P. M. Harris2

 

Search and Discovery Article #40300 (2008)

Posted August 28, 2008

 

*Adapted from oral presentation at AAPG Annual Convention, Houston, Texas, April 9-12, 2006. See companion article, "WODAD - A Web-Based Outcrop Digital Analog Database of Carbonate Platform Margins," Search and Discovery Article #40308 (2008).

Click to view list of articles adapted from presentations by P.M. (Mitch) Harris or by his co-workers and him at AAPG meetings from 2000 to 2008.

 

1 Chevron Energy Technology Company, Amsterdam, Netherlands; currently Voorburg, Netherlands ([email protected])

2 Chevron Energy Technology Company, San Ramon, CA ([email protected])

 

Abstract

The lack of coherent and public data bases on outcrop data counterbalanced by the shared academic and industry need for such information has initiated the Web-Based Outcrop Digital Analog Database (WODAD). This public, searchable, database is a serious attempt to make outcrop information more readily available to earth scientists. Such analogs can help professionals to conceptualize stratigraphic, facies and diagenetic relationships that develop reservoirs and traps while it may provide academics with a tool to compare and contrast information across geological time and space.

WODAD will cover the Phanerozoic and include carbonates initially, but later clastics as well as mixed systems. The database consists of a series of chapters, each focusing on a specific outcrop. Each chapter contains a summary page with search items, a few (2-3) pages of descriptive information, and a short reference list. A section of each summary page contains the items that will eventually guide the search. The primary search items will be age, system type (for carbonate, platform type), rock properties (lithology, texture), overprint (recrystallization, fracture, karst), and geographical location.

The database will offer unique and unsurpassed opportunities for comparative research, many of which will be only discovered once the database is available. WODAD “carbonates” is currently operational thanks to start-up funding provided by Chevron. Outcrop contributions from academia and industry are invited through submission of an abstract as well as through personal invitations (see wodad.org for information and instructions). It is anticipated that by 2007 the database will be published as a digital publication.

 

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Rationale

Information on outcrops:

  • Is generally poorly accessible; no systematic (semi) quantitative catalog exists in the public domain.
  • Is essential to the Earth Science community for contrast-comparative and background research.
  • Outcrops analogs are an important part of any hydrocarbon or water exploration or development project (conceptualize relationships that develop reservoirs and traps; limit and constrain uncertainties and need to standardization.
  • 53-56% booked reserves in carbonates and 25-35% of that depleted by 2009.

However, matching analogs:

  • Are difficult to locate since no uniform catalog exists.
  • Often lack reliable, appropriate, coherent and “contrast-comparable" information (journals).
  • Academics speak different geologic language than reservoir engineers and geologists.

 

WODAD

Aims to Provide:

  • A public “searchable”and “relational”digital outcrop analog database (web-based -downloadable).
  • Including a set of key qualitative and quantitative variables that allow cross-variable queries.
  • Covering the Phanerozoic,
    • Including carbonates, clastics and mixed systems.
  • A database compatible with C&C Reservoirs Digital Analog System.
  • Published as digital AAPG publication where the contributors are co-authors.

 

Features:

  • Will function as a dynamic web-based database.
  • Is based on a combination of PHP and PostgreSQL; open source licensed packages keeps the database at a relative low cost level.
  • Is hosted with public university that has latest facilities and back-up systems.
  • PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) is server-side web-scripting language and connecting Web sites to back end servers (two-way communication), such as databases. This enables the following types of two-way communication.
  • PostgreSQLis an Object Relational Database which excels at handling large media objects, tables, spatial, and series style data sets.

 

Properties

  • Fully searchable data base (functionality in progress).
  • Open call for participants as well as invited contributions.
  • Pre-formatted pull down menus to ensure coherent information.
  • Simple primary search items like age, system type, rock properties, overprint, and geographical location; Information items short descriptions.
  • GIS based using Basin World Map.
  • Digital and analog data can be added as new items.

 

Conclusions

WODAD will provide a searchable and interactive database facilitating:

  • Conceptualization of stratigraphic, facies and diagenetic relationships.
  • Providing quantitative information that can be compared across timescales and worldwide.
  • 15 data sets are currently edited as test phase.
  • Search functionality is currently added.
  • An Open Call will be advertised and individual authors will be contacted.
  • Spatial (GIS) data sets will be added soon.

 

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