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What other ways are there to get my data into PETRA?
Answer: Again, PETRA is an open platform and has readers that will import data from a variety of data vendors, including IHS. PETRA also works with a variety of middleware software platforms that can be used to move data in and out of industry standard databases such as OpenWorks. For loading IHS data, PETRA has a new feature called Direct Connect. Direct Connect establishes a direct link with IHS Enerdeq so projects can be quickly and frequently updated over the internet without the hassle of CD’s and the headache of loading the same data over and over. This also improves the currency of your data since you can receive it as it is updated on the IHS servers rather than waiting for CD’s to be delivered and loaded into your projects. For spatial data, PETRA has a plug-in known as the PETRA ArcMap Extension that allows users to move ESRI shape files and SDE format data between PETRA and ESRI ArcMap. These are some of many ways to get data into PETRA.
Speaking of ESRI, how does PETRA work with ArcMap?
Answer: PETRA has a Thematic Mapper module that can be used to import shape files and create map overlays for the PETRA Map Module. For users who want a more robust method of bridging PETRA to the ArcMap world, there is the PETRA ArcMap extension. This tool can be used to import spatial and cartographic data from the ESRI SDE database into PETRA’s map module. It can also be used to export a PETRA map into ArcMap to display the PETRA generated data in a full GIS environment. The PETRA ArcMap extension is a useful tool for bringing geologic, geophysical and engineering analysis generated in PETRA and PetraSeis together with GIS displays used by land departments and companies. This leads to the most complete subsurface and surface picture of a potential prospect.
What are the petrophysical functionalities of PETRA?
Answer: Petrophysicists can use PETRA to generate computed logs such as water saturation curves with user defined equations. PETRA also has several computational tools with the flexibility to add user-defined equations, the results of which can be saved in one or more depth intervals or “zones”. Computed zone attributes, such as net-to-gross ratio and average porosity can easily be posted or contoured in the map module.
The 3D Visualization (3D Viz) Module looks neat but is it useful for anything?
Answer: The 3D Viz module is useful as a presentation tool to company management and investors who may not be experienced at reading contour maps and cross sections. We have also found it is used by experienced geologists to better visualize numerous wellbores and associated tests, perfs etc., especially directionally drilled wells.
How does PetraSeis fit in?
Answer: PetraSeis is a powerful 2D/3D seismic interpretation tool that is designed to be used with PETRA as an integrated geophysical and geological presentation tool. PetraSeis is a fully functional seismic package that is available for purchase separately from PETRA and works as another module of PETRA. PetraSeis excels at intuitive horizon and fault picking, which is the core of any seismic interpretation package. PetraSeis has the same “look and feel” as PETRA and connects directly to the PETRA database, so it offers users a very intuitive workflow and easy-to-learn functionality. Seismic data from PetraSeis is stored in the PETRA database rather than in a “flat file” format like many other packages, which improves speed and functionality for the user. PetraSeis output can be easily displayed in the PETRA map, cross section and 3D Viz modules for a truly integrated geological and geophysical product. Asset teams using PetraSeis in conjunction with PETRA can improve productivity by eliminating the cumbersome process of transferring data back and forth between incompatible platforms. We have even found that geologists with some geophysical background can effectively use PetraSeis when they do not have access to a geophysicist. PetraSeis can be used in this way as a presentation tool that easily integrates geophysical and geological data and analysis for a more complete subsurface picture.
Is PETRA just another mapping tool?
Answer: Absolutely not! PETRA is a general purpose scientific software application used to find oil and gas. Maps and cross sections are typically the end product used to convince managers and/or investors to grant “authority for expenditure.” PETRA recognizes that presentation is important and contains outstanding map and cross section modules, which is where most geoscientists and engineers traditionally spend much of their time. However, the data displayed in asset teams’ final product is wholly dependent on the analysis and interpretation of the asset team. PETRA’s zone concept allows users to define a limitless number of zones to better analyze a prospect. The Z Cross Plot module can then be used to plot various zones against one another and calculations can be applied to all or selected wells, for one or more zones simultaneously. PETRA also contains a robust suite of transformation and calculation capabilities, including grid-to-grid operations, log transforms and petrophysical tools such as net, net-to-gross ratio, porosity feet, permeability feet, average porosity and permeability. So, you can see that PETRA goes way beyond mapping!
Does PETRA handle raster logs?
Answer: PETRA can import raster logs from a variety of sources, including IHSLogNet. Raster logs can be depth-calibrated and used to quickly pick tops and net pay. Users can also digitize the pay zones and curve data within the rasters. The raster logs can be integrated into a comprehensive cross section display that can include a mix of digital logs, slices of raster logs and custom track layouts with total control over log placement and track dimensions. As a general purpose tool, PETRA gives asset teams great flexibility in loading and interpreting all types of logs, including rasters.
What kind of IT footprint does PETRA have?
Answer: Small. PETRA is easy to install and manage and offers a variety of licensing schemes. Smaller companies may find standalone licenses with bitlocks to be the most cost-effective option. PETRA can also be installed over a network using a bitlock or a FlexLM mechanism. FlexLM eliminates the need for a physical bitlock and adds the option to “check out” a license for up to 30 days if a user needs to work remotely from the network for a period of time. PETRA’s structure over the network makes it easy to update. The latest network version can be downloaded and installed on the server in minutes – there is no need to go around updating individual workstations. Since PETRA is updated frequently with new functionalities and user requested enhancements but is also easy to manage from an IT perspective, it offers the ideal balance between end users and IT support staff at E&P companies.
Why should I subscribe to a software package like PETRA?
Answer: Subscriptions can be treated as an operational expense, which may have tax advantages over an asset that must be depreciated over time. Also, subscriptions provide flexibility in that companies can easily add or subtract PETRA licenses annually to cope with changes in staffing without ending up with a number of unused licenses when staffing is in a down cycle.
I’ve heard the PETRA is “well centric”. What does that mean?
Answer: A PETRA project always starts with a list of wells that have “well sequence numbers” (WSNs) and “unique well idendifiers” (UWIs – usually an API #). The project is then built around those wells with existing and user-defined zones. This structure is more intuitive to a typical geoscientific workflow and provides superior flexibility and analytical power. PETRA does work best in areas with plenty of wells and associated data, but is also effective in areas with sparse well control by using seismic data integrated from PetraSeis. See also “Is PETRA just another mapping tool?”
What is a zone?
Answer: Zones provide an efficient way to organize reservoir properties based on subsurface intervals typically defined by formation or layer boundaries. This concept is at the heart of the power and flexibility of PETRA as a general purpose ANALYTICAL tool for finding oil and gas. All members of the asset team can create the types of zones that pertain to their part of the E&P process and display them separately in maps and cross sections, or in an integrated presentation. Each zone can contain an unlimited number of variables defined as either numeric “z” values, text data or date field. Each numeric or date value can be commented with remarks. Zone data can be cross plotted and further refined with user-definable equation evaluator tools to transform “z” variables such as oil in place.
What kind of technical support comes with PETRA?
Answer: PETRA’s technical support team is among the best in the industry. Our group of highly educated (several advanced degrees in the earth sciences) and experienced (both as PETRA technical support staff and as PETRA users in industry) can be reached during regular business hours via phone and email. PETRA users will get to talk and/or correspond with a real person who will take the time to solve a problem, answer a question or teach a new technique. They are a busy group so sometimes users may have to leave a voicemail but should not worry, they will receive a return phone call in short order! Our support team also teaches many of our training courses so it is likely you will meet some of them in person over the years.
What type of PETRA training is available?
Answer: We offer a 2 day “PETRA Overview for Geoscientists” (formerly PETRA Overview) that introduces users to the basics of PETRA. New in 2008 is a similarly structured 2 day class, “PETRA Overview for Engineers” that covers many of the same topics but more fully explores PETRA engineering functionalities. We also offer 1 day “Advanced Mapping” and “Advanced Cross Section” classes and a 2 day “Introduction to PetraSeis” course. Our public courses are taught in Tulsa, Denver, Houston, Dallas and Calgary. We offer onsite courses based on number of attendees and availability of instructors. The onsite courses can be the same as public courses or customized as necessary.
Do you offer consulting services for PETRA?
Answer: IHS does not provide this service but we can refer you to several excellent consultants who can perform these functions. |