TABLE OF CONTENTS Geotechnical data are the most critical ingredient in any exploration or development project. As such, data management can and must play a pivotal role in the life cycle of any exploration or development project. Data management affects all phases of exploration and development. The need for accurate, complete, and well-organized data is critical to the success of any project of this type. With the ever-increasing competitive environment of today's oil industry, lower-margin operations require leaner staff levels, lower budgets, and fast asset cycle time. Effective data management is the key to maintaining all of these factors in balance.
The objective of this chapter is to present the reader with a general overview of the exploration-development cycle and the interaction of data management issues during each phase of this cycle exploration, development, and disposal. From the earliest identification of an area's exploration potential to the abandonment of the last producing well, data management plays a critical role in all facets of the operation. While there are common problems and solutions throughout the cycle, each phase creates unique data management problems.
This chapter illustrates key concepts in geotechnical data management by following the evolution of a typical oil and gas asset through its entire life cycle. In each of the major phases of this cycle, the key data management concepts appropriate for that phase will be illustrated. This exploration-development life cycle requires a constantly changing evolution of data management needs and methods. In each phase, there are different levels of data quality,...
