PILOT Data Life Cycle Initiative for UKCS Legacy Data

Malcolm Fleming (mfleming@cdal.com) Chief Executive of Common Data Access Limited (http://www.cdal.com) a wholly owned subsidiary of UKOOA and Jackie Banner (jackie.banner@dti.gsi.gov.uk) of the DTI discuss the challenges posed by legacy data gathered on the UKCS over the past 40 years, and the recommended model to ensure that this and any subsequent data is retained and maintained in the interests of all stakeholders.  This project is part of the Government's PILOT initiative (http://www.pilottaskforce.co.uk).  To find out more, or if you wish to participate, please contact the authors.

Background

The Progressing Partnership Workgroup (PPWG) of PILOT is tasked with identifying barriers to achieving the maximum economic hydrocarbon recovery from the UKCS and finding ways to help overcome these.  Efficient access to released subsurface data is essential if the full value of the UKCS is to be realised and PILOT has given the PPWG a remit to examine issues around all subsurface data gathered under Petroleum Production Licences ("Licence Data").

There are large volumes of Licence Data dispersed between licensees, service companies and other bodies. The data is complex and is found in a wide variety of media and formats, some of which are difficult to read and may even now be obsolete. There are also problems around duplication, with a significant but unknown amount of redundancy. Significant confusion also exists concerning Licence Data ownership rights, obligations and liabilities. It is extremely difficult to establish what data exists and, inevitably, important data could be degrading or being lost.  It is also not easy to attract new entrants to the UK as much geoscience data is too difficult to obtain in time to respond to licence opportunities, while production and pressure data may not be readily available in the form required.  The management of these different forms of data is labour intensive, time-consuming and difficult and therefore costly to industry in general.

Recommended Model
Volunteers from all stakeholders worked throughout 2002 to develop a "Data Life Cycle" model for Licence Data to address the deficiencies outlined above.  The basic features of the model developed are:

Central Data Registry
A requirement for Licensees to post details of their Licence Data to DEAL (http://www.ukdeal.co.uk), allowing prospective licensees and industry in general to see what data exists and where they can get it.  It also proposes a close link between DEAL and the consents processes through the UK Oil Portal, yielding considerable quality benefits and process improvements.

Network of Distributed Data Repositories
The model proposes the use of web technology and standards to network the distributed storage repositories currently holding Licence Data. This presents an opportunity for licensees to eliminate the costs of duplication by sharing rather than copying Licence Data.

Guidelines to Identify Redundant Data
The model includes a collaborative effort to establish guidelines under which Licence Data that has become obsolete or redundant may be identified and safely disposed of.

National Archive
The option for licensees to transfer Licence Data to a National Archive at the time of Licence relinquishment (for an "endowment" fee) in return for relief from the obligation to manage and maintain this data in perpetuity. For field data, this option would be offered as part of the COP (cessation of production) process.

Improved Data Release
The model also assumes licensee consent to bring forward data release from five years to four years, making a considerable volume of more recent Licence Data available and creating new opportunities for added-value products to be brought to the market. It also includes several provisions to improve the efficiency of the Data Release process and the quality and range of data release products becoming available.

The detailed model was presented to members of the UKOOA Exploration Committee in November 2002.

Stakeholder Benefits
The proposed model offers the following main benefits for each stakeholder group:

DTI

• Improved competitiveness and promotional prospects for the UKCS
• Assured industry compliance with regulatory obligations (re Licence Data)
• Preservation of important geoscientific information in the national interest
• Supporting opportunities for potential field redevelopment in the future

BGS (National Archive)

• Access to more quality geoscience information for the UKCS with which to build the national collection
• Access to Licence Data for research purposes
• Increased availability of geoscience data to industry and the public in general

Current Licensees

• Cost savings gained through sharing data across distributed data repositories and avoiding unnecessary duplication
• Reduced data management overhead (time savings and cycle-time reduction)
• Improvements in data quality and consistency
• Termination of costs and liabilities through endowment to the National Archive

Prospective Licensees, Academics, R&D, General Public

• Knowledge of what released Licence Data and value-added data is available for the UKCS and where it may be obtained
• Access to more Licence Data (earlier, higher-quality, cheaper) and more value-added products
• Access to field, and well production and pressure data

DTI Release Agents

• Reduced cost of preparing Data Release products (through assured completeness of Licence Data sets)
• Opportunity to prepare more value-added products based on released Licence Data
• Increased demand for released Licence Data (due to earlier data release)

Service Companies (Including Value-Added Data Vendors and Data Brokers)
Service companies will be able to compete for incremental business in the following related areas (not an exhaustive list):

• Data repository services
• Data management consultancy
• Data transcription and reformatting services
• Data destruction services

Business Case Trials

The model has received enthusiastic support and offers significant financial benefits for all stakeholders. The business case is, however, yet to be fully articulated and is currently being addressed through two trials: one for the Central Data Registry and another for the National Archive. The results of both trials will be presented to PILOT in March 2003.

The quantity and complexity of data that oil and gas exploration and production activity has generated on the UKCS over the past 40 years has far exceeded what was imagined at the time. The PPWG recognises therefore that the challenges posed by this legacy cannot be addressed simply, or indeed quickly.  Implementation of the model would therefore be carefully phased over a number of years, but with some valuable "quick wins" appearing in 2003.

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