Wright State University (WSU) and daytaOhio, an independent non-profit housed on the WSU campus, are working with Hess Corporation and oil field service company, Schlumberger, on an innovative oil exploration project to improve the processing and analysis of seismic data.

WSU’s Geophysics Department has developed a competency in the exploration of subsurface geology. daytaOhio specializes in solving complex data integration and analysis problems based on real business needs. Together they are tackling the challenge of improving processing and analysis of seismic information that is used to determine the location of offshore crude oil reservoirs.

Hess, an independent oil and gas company, will provide industry interpretation and computing systems expertise that will be used to develop new ways of analyzing oil field data using the advanced capabilities in daytaOhio’s R.C. Appenzeller Advanced Visualization Lab (AVL).

WesternGeco, a business segment of Schumberger, is providing the seismic data from a small area in the Gulf of Mexico (covering 1,400 square kilometers or 540.5 square miles) for the project. Schlumberger Information Solutions has also provided $6.9 million worth of software to analyze the seismic data and further this collaborative research effort.
Geophysicists use seismic data collected from the surface of oceans to “read” and interpret the sound waves, which travel at different velocities as they pass through the different densities of rock, sand, salt, oil and gas.
“The challenge to geophysicists is how to accelerate the very time consuming task of analyzing data presented in flat, two dimensional images to better understand the three dimensional subsurface geology. By using more of the data in a 3D visualization manner we can achieve a better understanding of seismic information,” said Mike Zebrowski, manager of Geoscience Development for Hess.

The goal of the daytaOhio project is to create an interactive 3D visualization of the data that makes it easier for geophysicists to both read and interpret. It is anticipated that the research undertaken by Wright State, daytaOhio, Hess and the other partners will significantly reduce the time required to interpret seismic data.
“One of the challenges facing the oil and gas industry is the significant shortage of experienced professionals. Another is the increasing amount and complexity of data they are being asked to analyze. The new visual environment afforded by the technology in place at daytaOhio will enhance the productivity of interpreters enabling them to keep pace,” said Terry Rapoch, president of daytaOhio.
The initial phase of the project began in February with the installation of an analytics lab in the Joshi Research Center-connected to daytaOhio’s AVL.

About daytaOhio

daytaOhio (www.daytaOhio.org), Ohio’s Wright Center for Data, is one of eight Wright Centers of Innovation in the state of Ohio funded by the Third Frontier Project. This is the only center focused on information technology. daytaOhio’s vision is to use innovative visualization technology to improve human performance.
About Hess Corporation
Hess Corporation, headquartered in New York City, is a leading global independent energy company, engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, as well as in refining and marketing refined petroleum products, natural gas, and electricity.

About Schlumberger

Schlumberger is the world’s leading oilfield services company supplying technology, information solutions and integrated project management that optimize reservoir performance for customers working in the oil and gas industry. The company employs more than 80,000 people of over 140 nationalities working in approximately 80 countries. Schlumberger supplies a wide range of products and services from seismic acquisition and processing; formation evaluation; well testing and directional drilling to well cementing and stimulation; artificial lift and well completions; and consulting, software, and information management. In 2007, Schlumberger revenue was $23.28 billion. For more information, visit www.SLB.com.