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Internet "Deal" Provides Definitive Source for UK Oil and Gas Data
| Date: | 11 Oct 2000 | | Details: | An on-line tool providing public access to a comprehensive library of basic geo-scientific information on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) as well as direct links to data held in repositories all over the world has just been officially launched on the worldwide web.
DEAL (Digital Energy Atlas and Library), at www.ukdeal.co.uk, is a "virtual shop window" offering the definitive catalogue of information relating to offshore exploration and production activities in the UK.
The £900,000 website has been developed by CDA Limited, a subsidiary of the UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA), in conjunction with the British Geological Survey (BGS). Launched under PILOT, the Government and industry partnership rejuvenating investment and activity in the offshore oil and gas sector, it has the full support of the Department of Trade and Industry which will increasingly rely on DEAL as its principal means of acquiring and distributing quality-assured data on the province.
Its promoters expect DEAL to save the industry millions of pounds a year. By providing quick and simple access to a single, complete and reliable source of information, DEAL will eliminate costly duplication in data storage and shorten time spent on searches, freeing up industry specialists to look for new investment opportunities in the North Sea and adjacent offshore waters of the UKCS.
It will ultimately provide three services:
1. iDEAL Information Services (available now)
Providing data on wells, 3D seismic surveys, pipelines and umbilicals, field outlines, coastlines, licenses and international boundaries. By the end of this year, the service will be expanded to include details of 2D seismic data, surface and subsurface infrastructure and other shipping hazards. Next year will see the addition of gravity/magnetic survey outlines, bathymetry, telecommunications cables, shipping lanes, environmental exclusion zones, site surveys and proposed new seismic survey sites.
2. uDEAL Data Market Place (available now)
A comprehensive catalogue of UKCS geological and geophysical data products - a "one stop shop" for data vendors worldwide to promote and sell their UKCS data products via the Internet. In addition to the key well and seismic data, other information such as field data, regional reports, regional studies and environmental data is envisaged by the first half of next year.
3. eDEAL Unified Data Network (December 2000)
The gateway to a network of distributed data repositories allowing companies (for example licensees) to store, access, distribute and trade geo-scientific data on an "entitlement" basis. An agreement already in place with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will be extended to permit subscribers to fulfil UKCS licence obligations by granting the department direct access to data via DEAL. The first major use of the system will be for post-stack seismic trace data.
Malcolm Fleming, CDA Chief Executive, said: "CDA's link with UKOOA is DEAL's strength. DEAL's "owners" - all UKOOA members - are providing much of the data from source. They will also take responsibility for its updating, which ensures maximum reliability and accuracy. This is especially significant in the light of a recent development whereby DEAL will now become the repository for the data underpinning FishSafe, the electronic underwater hazard warning device for fishermen."
Dr David Falvey, Executive Director of the BGS, said: "BGS is delighted to have delivered Phase I of DEAL in such a short time. The development team has worked extremely hard to produce what I hope will be seen as an excellent system to help promote future activity in the UK. Delivery of Phase I is only beginning. Our data loading team is now ready to take on the important task of populating DEAL with data from the numerous oil companies and data vendors operating in the UKCS. Our development team is ready to enhance the system as ideas from the user community begin to come in. The team will shortly begin work on eDEAL to prepare the unified data network enabling subscribers to link electronically directly to the scattered data repositories. | | Contact: | Trisha O'Reilly, PILOT Communications
Tel: 020 7802 2422
Email: toreilly@ukooa.co.uk |
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For all press enquiries please contact:
Trisha O'Reilly at UKOOA Tel: 0207 802 2422 Email: toreilly@ukooa.co.uk
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