Kansas Geological Survey, Open File Report 97-14

Digital Petroleum Atlas Annual Report 1996

Paper presented at the Society of Independent Petroleum Earth Scientists (SIPES), Dallas, Texas, 3/21/96

The Role of the Public Sector in Providing Cost-Effective Technology to the Petroleum Independent: A Kansas Example

CARR, TIMOTHY R., Kansas Geological Survey, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

To remain competitive, independent oil operators require the highest level of appropriate technology, and the highest quality data. Major technical challenges to independent operators are; geologic and engineering uncertainty, lack of knowledge of existing technology, lack of high quality data, and the lack of confidence that existing technologies can improve operations. In the last few years, the University of Kansas and the Kansas Geological Survey have attempted to address these technical challenges by a renewed commitment to improve technology and data transfer. Improvements include changes both in organizational structure, research directions, and in the process of technology transfer.

Research efforts in Kansas have focused on developing tools that leverage existing data through cost-effective application of technology. Examples include: use of well logs within interpretation systems designed for analysis of 3D seismic data ("Pseudoseismic"); a spreadsheet computer program to implement traditional and innovative log analysis (PfEFFER); and techniques for acquisition of high-resolution seismic data.

Changes in the technology transfer process are moving away from the one-on-one consultations, paper publications and dusty files, and toward providing high-speed large-volume conduits for digital data and technology among operating companies, service companies, consultants and public sector entities. The Internet has provided just-in-time accessibility to fundamental well, reservoir, and geographic data (such as e-logs, production volumes, and digital map data), to petroleum related data compilations (such as field studies, regional maps and bibliographies), and to the latest research ideas. The virtual resource center provides a flexible and efficient method to disseminate data and technology to a geographically dispersed high technology industry.

Paper presented at Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association (KIOGA), Wichita, Kansas, 8/26/96

The Internet: A Tool to Access Information and Technology for the Petroleum Independent in Kansas

CARR, TIMOTHY R., Kansas Geological Survey, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

The exchange of information and research results in the petroleum industry is moving away from the one-on-one consultations, paper publications and dusty files. Budget constraints and changes in communications have opened high-speed, large-volume conduits for digital data and technology among operating companies, service companies, consultants and public sector entities. The Internet provides the petroleum independent with just-in-time accessibility to real-time data (such as oil and gas prices), and basic exploration and development data (such as e-logs, production volumes, and digital map data). In addition the independent can search and access petroleum related data compilations (such as field studies, regional maps and bibliographies), and the latest research ideas.

The Kansas Geological Survey and the KU Energy Research Center are working with Kansas operators and organizations to construct a virtual resource center that provides a flexible and efficient method to communicate data and technology to a geographically dispersed high technology industry.

Paper presented at the Geological Society of America, Denver, Colorado, 10/28/96

The Impact of the Internet on the Public Sector: Providing Natural Resource Information and Technology to Kansas

CARR, Timothy R., tcarr@kgs.ku.edu; ADKINS-HELJESON, Dana, dana@kgs.ku.edu; BUCHANAN, Rex C., rex@kgs.ku.edu; Thomas D. METTILLE, tmettille@kgs.ku.edu; Kansas Geological Survey, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

The Kansas Geological Survey uses the Internet as an important communication channel. The Internet provides rapid, cost-effective access to natural resource data, informational sources, publications, and technology. Usage of the Surveyís web server has grown dramatically. Today, the Survey is weaving the Internet into all of its ongoing and future research and public service operations.

Technology and information transfer processes are moving away from individual consultations, paper publications, and dusty files, and toward high-speed large-volume conduits for digital data and technology that better fit the wide audience of academic organizations, private and public sector entities, and individual citizens. The Internet provides flexible just-in-time accessibility to fundamental geologic and geographic data, to data compilations, and to the latest research and technical studies. Products are available on-line as they are completed, at a fraction of the time and cost of paper publication. Publications with relational links and search engines allow users to modify the scale and focus to their particular requirements, and permit access to data in a compatible format for validation and risk analysis. The Survey is designing research and technical products that go beyond traditional publications and take advantage of the Internet capabilities (examples include the Digital Petroleum Atlas and the Kansas GIS Core Database).

The Surveyís virtual resource center provides a flexible and efficient method to disseminate data and technology, and provide geologic research to a geographically dispersed population. The Internet better enables the Surveyís information and research results to serve as the framework upon which individual and public policy decisions are built.

Scientific Communication in the Earth Sciences: The Impact of the Electronic Publication

TIMOTHY R. CARR; DANA ADKINS-HELJESON; REX C. BUCHANAN; PAUL GERLACH; THOMAS D. METTILLE; and JANICE H. SORENSEN; Kansas Geological Survey, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

Traditional paper media, such as books, monographs, journals, and maps. have been a recognizable aspect of geologic work for several centuries. They remain the primary medium for communicating research results, transferring technology, and archiving knowledge. However, continued growth in volume of earth-science literature, increased unit costs of producing and archiving paper publications, and rapidly increasing power and availability of electronic technology are creating pressures on traditional scientific communication, and rapidly altering the role of traditional publication as a means of scientific communication. Electronic publication provides broad access and alters the relationship between interpretative result and the data. Electronic technology improves the quality and accessibility of "non-traditional" research products, (e.g., digital geographic information and unpublished archival material), and provides the means to create dynamic forms of scientific communication that can only be displayed in an electronic environment. New forms of communication use hypertext and relational database functions to provide text and graphics with which readers can interact. Electronic publication improves research reproducibility and facilitates use and continued enhancement of research products. Earth science institutions, including the Kansas Geological Survey, are experimenting with new forms of on-line publication that assure broad access to research and data, and improve application of research to societal problems.

To be presented at Powder River Basin Section of Society of Petroleum Engineers, Gillette, Wyoming, 5/14/97

The Internet: A Tool to Access Information and Technology for the Petroleum Independent

CARR, TIMOTHY R., Kansas Geological Survey, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047-3726

The exchange of information and research results in the petroleum industry is moving away from the one-on-one consultations, paper publications and dusty files. Budget constraints and changes in communications have opened high-speed, large-volume conduits for digital data and technology among operating companies, service companies, consultants and public sector entities. The Internet provides the petroleum independent with just-in-time accessibility to real-time data (such as oil and gas prices), basic exploration, development and production information (such as e-logs, production volumes, and digital map data). In addition, the independent can search and access petroleum related compilations (such as field studies, regional maps and bibliographies), and the latest research ideas.

The Kansas Geological Survey and the University of Kansas Energy Research Center are working to construct a working national model of a virtual resource center. An on-line resource that provides flexible and efficient communication of data and technology to a geographically dispersed high technology industry.