AN AUSTRALIAN GEODATA SYSTEM

Abstract

Australia is in a very favourable position to set up a central petroleum industry data system particularly as no regional system is yet in operation. Large accessible computers are already available and other countries' experience ensures that a practical system can be evolved.

There are three stages to be contemplated:

The data input,

Simple retrieval,

Retrieval and processing.

The first stage involves massive and for the most part, routine work but also includes problems of confidential information and interpretation. The second stage is useful for obtaining statistical information and to facilitate literature search. The third stage is open-ended encompassing automatic well correlations, contour maps, seismic cross-sections, reservoir estimations, etc.

The Australian situation requires stage 1 and 2 to be introduced as soon as possible. Stage 3 is not recommended until more subsurface data has been obtained. Instead, a microfilm library of the most requested records could be accumulated.

Most operating systems are under-used due to unfamiliarity. This can be overcome by supplying a regular output of information on areas of interest.