Abstract
This paper describes the upstream data standards that Saudi Aramco has recently implemented for Drilling and is in progress to implement them for other areas such as Production and Reservoir Characterization. These standards enable us to make wider use of our monitoring and collaboration centers through a common approach. It also allows us to leverage the evolving WITSML, PRODML and RESQML standards more effectively in our upstream operations.
Saudi Aramco relies on many service organizations to deliver the generated data which requires common and standard data classification when exporting data from source A then importing to destination B. Applying a common approach to information access on a global basis has enabled us to streamline our operations and make wider use of emerging analysis, monitoring and collaboration technologies.
Real-time technologies have been utilized to capture, monitor and analyze operational data from well sites so that critical decisions can be made in real-time to reduce and eliminate operational and safety problems, thus reducing non-productive time. That includes high-tech rigs, smart wells, monitoring & collaboration tools and real-time data visualization systems.
Our aim has been to implement standard upstream information architecture. Our full implementation of WITSML was the vehicle which allowed this to happen in Drilling & Workover operations. We still believe that over the next years with the advancements of technologies there will be more challenges to support open connectivity between different vendors and services supporting the increasing upstream functions.