Diskos

The Discos database is a common national data repository for exploration and production related data.

Functions

• Graphical user interface
• All available geo-information
• Access according to ownership
• Release of data
• Tool for trading

Challenge
Modern exploration techniques generate huge quantities of information, but the logistics of traditional data storage have often been inefficient and costly. People involved have thus spent too much of their time searching for data and collecting data of often uncertain quality. The efficient management of data has, therefore, become more crucial than ever.

In view of this, Diskos specified the necessary requirements, and IBM was contracted to develop PetroBank, a software and hardware solution for a petroleum data repository. The software is today maintained and developed by Landmark Graphics. The Norwegian data repository The Diskos database has been in operation since 1995 and is today run by Landmark.

Diskos partners
The concept of a national data repository was conceived in 1992 by the NPD and the three Norwegian oil companies Hydro, Saga and Statoil. Today the Diskos group has more than 50 members.

The Diskos group developed specifications for both software, system operations and a commercial set-up, and group members contribute both financially and technically.

A national data repository
The Diskos data repository is a data management system which has been designed to store corporate and national data. Thus, data from the Norwegian continental shelf are now to be found in the national petroleum data store in Stavanger. All data in the database is available online to members of the Diskos consortium. Data is also available on tape media from the database operator: Landmark.

Through use of the Diskos database, data may be transferred directly to workstations at high speed and low cost, and data may be traded by simply changing owner rights to data in the data store. This is also the practical way to make data public after the required confidentiality period.

For all data entering the database, the group members have agreed on a level of data quality so that users will get data of known quality delivered on agreed data formats. The system is loaded with official quality approved cultural data (coastlines, licence information, installations ...) from the NPD.

Datatypes

• Seismic and navigational data
• Well data
• Production data

Diskos database - Software
The software solution used in the Diskos database, is PetroBank and as been designed to provide users with rapid access to all data to which they hold a legal access right.

The user first identifies the required data in the data repository. Selection is typically done in a geographical user environment. Once the system has confirmed access rights to selected data, data is retrieved from high density storage devices.

The user can generally get data access within 30 seconds. Data is then transferred to the user's computer for further interpretation. This rapid access is definitely a major advantage for the petroleum industry.

The Diskos group supports the use and development of industry standards. PetroBank's database is therefore modelled in accordance with the Posc epicentre data model.

For more information contact:
Eric Toogood
Diskos manager