Petris was formed in 1996 when Perceptive Scientific Imaging
demerged its instrumentation subsidiary. Since then, Petris’ focus has been
e-business, well log data, imaging and integration with financial systems. The
last five years have seen associations with 1-Image, Neuralog, Paradigm Technologies,
Harts and the AAPG. Major clients include Anadarko and the Minerals Management
Service.
PDM – A while back (PDM Vol. 4 N° 5), we covered some interesting
software that Petris developed to spider E&P and other databases – the Winds
Enterprise system you originally developed for Anadarko. How is that work going? Pferd – Anadarko now has the Winds system installed
and we have other clients - notably Mitchell Energy. Winds middleware connects
different data stores and offers seamless data transfer at the click of a button.
There are currently four adapters available, Open Works 97 & 98, Recall,
the Petris Mall and another for OilWare’s WellLogML. PDM – Winds was announced in May 99 so progress has been
quite slow? Pferd – Technology issues meant that the software
was not really deployable then, but it is now. A merger slowed things down,
our client ended up with a combined 700 applications and the jury is still out
on how these will be rationalized. PDM – Do you have application vendor partners? Pferd – Petris is working with Petra on integrating
its PC-based geological application. We will be making an announcement at the
AAPG. PDM – What of GeoQuest? Pferd – Finder and GeoFrame make up a large market and
they are high on our list. Linking to ODBC compliant data stores within the
GeoQuest environment is fairly straightforward, but the proprietary data stores
are harder. PDM – Your activity is rather similar to that of Open Spirit.
What is your relationship with them? Pferd – We are supportive, but the difference
is that while Open Spirit is an interoperability solution, Winds is focused
on data management. Winds does not use Open Spirit middleware, but does leverage
some formats and representations. Winds’ focus is well data management, you
can view data prior to transfer and soon you will be able to view well file
documents and scanned images. We also let you exchange large format documents
such as montages. In Winds, our spidering, CORBA/Java-based technology connects
to native data stores through XML streams via a patented, dynamic common data
model (CDM). The CDM distinguishes three E&P data types – raw, interpretation
artifact and spatial model. If data can be represented in this manner, then
Winds can search, retrieve and transfer data to and from applications. Some
applications are being built that will plug and play directly with Winds. PDM – So it is an Open Spirit unto itself? Pferd – Not really, Open Spirit has more of an
interoperability, project focus. Winds is a non-invasive data management tool.
Winds also offers data analysis tools, telling you who uses data, what data
is dormant etc. Knowledge Management if you will! It is easier to tap into processes
for these metrics, than to interview people. PDM – This technology also underpins the Internet Data Room.
How is your Acquisition & Disposal business going? Pferd – Our Internet Data Room (IDR) houses digital
imagery including large format documents, using technology from ER Mapper. We
have a significant new client in Phillips Petroleum which has posted 14 prospects.
We have developed access filters to keep the ‘tire kickers’ away from the door. PDM – Many oil companies we talk to are concerned about accessing
data from the main data vendors. What is your relationship with the data vendors? Pferd – We are in discussions with IHS Energy
and International PetroData in Canada. Anadarko is very concerned by this, they
want to build an adapter to Winds Enterprise to allow import of IHS data into
Open Works. We are currently enhancing our own data vending outlet - the Petris
Mall with scanned images of the Shell onshore scout ticket database. This should
‘cross pollinate’ the IDR and provide further value for customers. PDM – How is the IDR traffic developing? Pferd – Domestic North American prospects get
lots of traffic and hits. After Bass Brothers picked up the Horizon play, we
got very busy. We are also busy around the NAPE show. PDM – You seem to have developed a special relationship with
the Minerals Management Service (MMS)! Pferd – Our data cleanup project for the MMS
is now in its second year. Petris also sponsors a semi-annual well data cleanup
meeting for Texaco, Chevron, along with data vendors Energy Graphics and Lexco. PDM – What is Petris’ main focus; service provision or productized
software? Pferd – Our plan is to fulfill needs of customers
with appropriate, extensible solutions and then productize the results. SmartMoney in the Hive Petris has been working with Burlington Resources on a new
Integrated Decision Support System (IDSS) utilizing components from Connect
and Winds. The web browser can now view accounting, well production and other
key data. The IDSS was rolled-out at the NAPAC show in Dallas this month. Petris
is adapting some interesting new technology from the financial sector for use
in upstream decision support. SmartMoney.com offers punters a zillion ways of
drilling down through financial information - through interactive charts, bars,
and an intriguing new way of drilling down through data. Here, stocks, licenses
or oil production can be visualized and manipulated in a dimensionless map view.
The tool is described as a management ‘dashboard.’ BP has tested the Petris/SmartMoney
tools, on production history and risk analysis. Rumor has it that BP CEO John
Browne has been shown the technology in the BP visualization center - the ‘Hive.’ © Oil IT Journal - all rights reserved.Click here to comment on this article
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