The pressure transient analysis and data transfer standard was initiated by Schlumberger that was looking for a way of importing well test data into Petrel. The well test is a key data set for reservoir diagnostic. A high end deep water well test can cost $50 million and take a month of rig time. Schlumberger picked Kappa’s Saphir as the source for data transfer, although initially Kappa was not involved in the project.
Schlumberger’s Tony Fitzpatrick turned to Energistics for help on the PTAML standard. Which is when I got involved as having a good knowledge of well testing and the Energistics approach to open source software.
We decided to build in the Prodml environment rather than Resqml which is more concerned with the 3D reservoir model, with grids and well trajectories. Well testing is an appraisal stage activity and is primarily concerned with production tests although the pressure transient information is used in both environments. Ptaml, like ExxonMobil’s PVT data standard, also wound-up in Prodml for a variety of administrative reasons to do with Energistics’ workgroup organization. Some Resqml data is included in the standard such that it can transfer for instance, partial grids and fault elements which may be important to the interpreter.
Later on, Kappa was involved, helping to test the data transfers and to fine tune the scope of the data model. Kappa and Schlumberger from then on pooled their resources on the development – still with the objective of donating the software to Energistics. Kappa helped expand the model to cover more facets of the well test process – this is now quite comprehensive.
Initial development centered on the earlier PRODML 1.2 release. We are now working with Energistics to align with PRODML 2.0 and the recently released Common Technical Architecture (CTA). Energistics is also soliciting interest from its member operating companies for real-world testing of the new protocol. Operators will also be able to add some new requirements to the standard. The first PTAML release will likely be in PRODML 2.1 out late 2017/early 2018.
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