The communication of data between various operator and service company data stores has long been problematic. Fragile, low bandwidth lines of communication coupled with a lack of standards have left serious efficiency gaps in the movement of data from the acquisition location to decision-making and interpretation centers. Various systems have been developed and deployed to minimize these difficulties; however, all have fallen short of industry requirements. Recent availability of more robust, higher bandwidth lines between locations has led to a new standard of communication called Wellsite Information Transfer Standard Markup Language (WITSML). Using this new technology, data can be acquired and transmitted synchronously or asynchronously among multiple stakeholders with limited effort. The ability to mix and match various data collection vendors and connect these data sources to interpreters and modelers with limited effort is creating new opportunities to improve the success and efficiency of remote operations. This paper reviews four cases that demonstrate the use of WITSML to synchronously transmit real-time data from domestic and international offshore locations to onshore sites. The cases clearly demonstrate that WITSML meets previously neglected industry requirements of durability, flexibility, economy and ease of use in omni-directional data transmission between rig and shore.

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