US Well Data

E&P Consultant Prefers IHS - U.S. Well and Production Data for Interpretation Projects

Company Profile
Denver-based Hydrocarbon Exploration & Development provides E&P consulting for a broad range of oil and gas industry clients throughout the U.S. and Canada. In business since 1998, the firm offers geological and geophysical interpretation and exploration, along with training on a variety of industry software programs. Jewel Wellborn, president, brings formal training as a geologist and geophysicist, and approximately 25 years of experience in interpretation, with particular expertise in coalbed methane evaluations. In addition to consulting, Wellborn teaches at the Colorado School of Mines, for the Rockies branch of the Petroleum Technology Transfer Council (PTTC), as well as at other PTTC organizations nationwide.

Business Challenge
Wellborn frequently evaluates properties for clients. She performs interpretations with either existing data that clients provide, or she recommends that they acquire the necessary data. For efficiency and accuracy in her interpretations, Wellborn needs comprehensive, current data, specifically with detailed oil and gas operator information. Additionally, she and her clients must be able to use the data with a variety of energy software programs, and easily import and export data between applications.

The IHS U.S. Data Advantage
For the majority of the evaluation projects she performs for clients, Wellborn recommends that when purchasing data, clients use IHS well and production data. Typically, she suggests that they download 297 well data in fixed format and the 298 comma delimited production data.

"On probably 90-95 percent of projects requiring the purchase of data, I recommend that clients use IHS data," Wellborn explained. "It's my first preference for well and production data."

Comprehensive Data Supports Thorough Interpretations
Wellborn prefers IHS data for several key reasons. Most importantly, the comprehensive nature of the data, a result of IHS extensive history of collecting data, gives Wellborn and her clients confidence that they are likely using the most thorough publicly available data possible.

"IHS has focused for a long time on gathering the data and building the database," Wellborn explained. "It is one of the most complete data sets for the majority of the United States. I appreciate that, wherever I go, I can use IHS data."

Standardized Data Formats Integrate with Range of Software Programs
Additionally, IHS data comes in standard formats that interface with a wide range of petroleum software programs. Whether she's performing the interpretation or her clients are, Wellborn knows that IHS data will easily integrate with any application they might be using. This gives Wellborn and her clients the flexibility to use the software applications that will best support each project.

The ease of import and export of the data with other programs allows Wellborn to bring the data directly into the interpretation software, and then alias formation TOPS to get the regional boundaries for the most critical sequences. She then can select the regional TOPS she wants to use in her interpretation. This is particularly beneficial on some of the coalbed methane properties she evaluates.

"I can quickly review the data, see where the regional formation TOPS are and pick the correct coal names based on what IHS has collected from state and local operators," Wellborn said. "I can capture the regional context as well as the local context in most of the areas with CBM activity, which allows me to complete projects more efficiently. With the 'regional' starting point, I then know how to manipulate the data to provide the accuracy necessary in the interpretation."

Finally, Wellborn finds that IHS keeps its well and production databases up to date, ensuring that she always bases her interpretations on the most currently available data. Overall, the comprehensive nature of IHS databases allows Wellborn to derive the most accurate results for her clients.

"I find IHS data a great starting place for projects requiring regional to detailed information for my geologic evaluations," Wellborn said. "Although I always select either the clients' or my own formation TOPS for the detailed maps, the regionally reported formation TOPS are necessary to get the overall view of the stratigraphy of the area, and what local operators are calling specific horizons. IHS provides my clients with a cost-effective way to determine the regional placement of their prospective areas, drilling and production information, and detailed perforation and testing data for their projects."

Business Value

With comprehensive, current data, Wellborn and clients are assured that they are deriving the most accurate evaluations possible.

Wellborn finds that IHS data is standardized for use with a broad range of software applications, and that she can easily import and export data between programs.

The ability to see the regional and local context on conventional and coalbed methane properties enables Wellborn to complete the evaluation of projects more quickly.