Managing Key Data Assets
Challenge of Technical Data
In collaboration with our industry partners, Noah established a governance model and framework across the E&P organization which enables the business and technology functions to partner together to put in place a mechanism to ensure high quality corporate data is managed properly and consistently throughout the systems in which it is used, and available to all who need the information
The framework was mapped to the lifecycle of technical information. One core need for our key industry partner was the need to effectively govern, manage, and store key interpreted data for use at any time in the future
Managing Valuable Interpreted Data
In the search for oil and gas, petabytes of data are processed and interpreted in order to gain an understanding of the structures and processes beneath the surface of the earth. As a prospective area for hydrocarbon exploration and development is investigated, many versions of derivative interpretations are created. While the technology used in generating these interpretations is readily available through specialized software providers, no comprehensive solution existed for saving this data from those specialized solutions as well as the information (metadata) necessary to put that data into a proper and lasting context.
A key to success was a demonstrable, value-added solution to the business information needs based on these technical information lifecycle concepts. What was needed was the capability to properly preserve and manage the intellectual property of the petro technical staff.
The solution that was needed however was not just about technology. Rather, it was a clear representation of the people, process, and technology inter-relationship. This solution was made more difficult by the fact that the geological interpretation of the subsurface was as much a creative process as it was a scientific one.
Technically Validated Database
The Foundation
One of the first requirements for this solution was establishing a consistent definition and message for what the TVDB would deliver and how it fit within the overall business strategy. The solutions is the basis for a powerful framework which has the ability to accommodate not only interpreted data but many other TVDB's to support key technical information types.
Creating a model which could add additional data types easily, reduce the cost of implementation for future data types, increase the speed of development and gain maximum value is what has been achieved.
The Solution
A successful framework required the solution to be an authoritative and trusted source with validated, auditable quality controls. It also required governance to support roles, responsibilities, procedures, and metadata standards, and to foster an ongoing capability in the culture of the organization. The processes were embodied into a technology which consistently integrated with Hess' technical architecture and portfolio of existing tools.
The first technical challenge was moving both interpretive data and metadata between disparate applications into a vendor- and application-neutral repository. The PPDM 3.8 data schema was chosen as this repository. In order to move the data both between the disparate applications and the database, a middleware solution was required. Existing commercially-available middleware solutions do not support all of the core functionality and interpretation software packages nor do they support metadata to the degree needed. A Houston-based company, Volant Solutions provided the ability and desire to leverage their offering to meet the TVDB needs. The data types which needed to be moved were identified as well as the metadata to accompany it.
The combination of new processes and roles, combined with new middleware, Web services, user interfaces, and synchronization technologies, creates an industry first technically validated database which has stored information in vendor-neutral formats and provides LAN performance regardless of a user's geographical location in the company. It is well regarded and currently being expanded to include additional key data types. It is well accepted by all parties as it provides non-invasive governance and no disruption to the key business processes.
