Oilware’s XMLLog, web - enabled petrophysical data (August 1999)

DLIS, LIS, BIT, LAS, LBS, and other digital well log data formats can now be converted directly to XML in the proposed WellLogML format. EzTools is now using XML internally to summarize the content of all data scanned in preparation for conversion.

Oilware has integrated XML into its EzTools application architecture. DLIS, LIS, BIT, LAS, LBS, and other digital well log data formats can now be converted directly to XML in the proposed WellLogML format. EzTools now also uses XML internally to summarize the content of all data scanned in preparation for conversion.

The Canadian LAS (Log ASCII Standard) is a simple, human readable format for well log data exchange. The arrival of the Internet has created a demand for transferring and viewing well log data with common, desk top, web based tools. By leveraging the work done on LAS with XML, both of these goals can be reached.

Oilware has been collaborating with POSC and Interactive Network Technologies (INT) to develop a new digital well log data interchange format WellLogML. The new format extends XML, and contains many new features. WellLogML is a sophisticated specification with multidimensional array curves, arrays of parameters, run merging and irregular depth samples.

Many tools are available such as Internet Explorer 5, for certifying that an XML file conforms to both the syntax of XML and the semantics of WellLogML. Using the Extensible Stylesheet Language (XSL), XML files can be transformed into different XML files or into different formats altogether. The data can be loaded into Oracle, Microsoft Access 2000, etc. and into desktop applications like Microsoft Excel 2000, Internet Explorer 5. XSL allows XML files to be transformed into HTML, RTF, or even very detailed graphical presentations.

Oilware’s log manipulation toolkit, EzTools can now convert a wide range of formats into XMLLog, Oilware’s implementation of the WellLogML standard. EzTools now uses XML in an internal control file to summarize the content of all data scanned in preparation for conversion. Prior to format conversion, the control file can be edited to select which logical data files, frame types, and curves should be converted.

The control file can also be edited to change the output ASCII format being created, perform units conversions, and to modify constant values, such as well name, field name etc. The new XMLControl files open the door to a much larger world than hitherto was possible! These files contain all of the information derived from scanning a digital well log data set including file frame and curve information, and well header data. Using available scanning modules, digital well log formats can be summarized in XML format and this information is immediately available to all other XML enabled software. XMLControl files can be loaded into Excel, Access or Oracle. They can also be transformed into HTML summaries, or even API log headers or to build a database - which can be interactively searched over the Internet using XQL.

POSC

POSC is the custodian of the 80+ page WellLogML document and the related XML DTD which is available at www.posc.org/ebiz. More on EzTools and XMLLog from www.oilware.com.