Evolution of Petrophysical Data Management in Saudi Aramco

Abstract

Abstract Well log data is used by exploration and producing (E&P) professionals to locate new well locations, conduct reservoir characterization studies, optimize well placement programs, enhance fluid monitoring plans and improve well completion strategies. In response to the increased worldwide demand for oil and gas, Saudi Aramco has tripled its rig count. The resulting increase in well data has introduced new log acquisition and processing challenges. Saudi Aramco recognizes the importance of well log data management as a significant mission required to address the needs of E&P professionals to obtain high-quality well log data at any time and in many different formats. Saudi Aramco started collecting log data with the first wells drilled in the 1930s. Over time, both the data types and data formats have changed with the introduction of new logging tools and technologies. Tracing the development of petrophysical data management through these years will help us to define our future vision and honor the lessons and best practices learned in the past. In contrast to early paper-based and more recent digital log management systems, various groups at Saudi Aramco have jointly developed new systems that provide real-time data delivery from the well head to the desktop. These new systems allow well log service providers and E&P professionals to work collaboratively within an efficient, unified data management environment that improves both data quality and efficiency. New automated and semi-automated workflows reduce data delivery times, improve data quality, and log data is now easily distributed in a variety of formats to different end-user systems. The new system also provides time-based workflow monitoring, allowing managers to review internal performance and to gauge the performance of logging vendors against service level agreements.