Harnessing the power of GIS throughout the project lifecycle on Khazzan

The Situation

BP Exploration was investigating the development of the Khazzan tight gas field within Block 61 in Oman. The field has a 30 year operating period with a possible 10 year extension. BP contracted the WorleyParsons Group to assist them with the appraisal of two gas reservoirs (Barik and Amin). The Advisian team was responsible for the engineering data during the Define stage. 

Approach

The GIS team performed a number of key data management, analysis and output functions on the Khazzan project. By acting as a single, central source of spatial data management GIS encouraged closer relationships between the design disciplines and promoted intelligent decision making to solving problems. 

The team provided setup, management and technical support of a central GIS database and the BP Pipeline Open Data Standard (PODS) implementation.  The General Geospatial Schema (GGS) defined a standardised approach to name, dataset, metadata, fields, attributes and coordinate reference system for every feature class.  

The portal used a logical grouping and layering method to deliver an entire project’s repository in a way that was intuitive to the non-specialist end user and was popular as result. Change control was managed through circulation emails to key project personnel.

Technical drawings were produced from the GIS where the traditional CAD method was less effective. For example layout drawings with a background imagery requirement proved to be more efficient and effective through GIS output.

Global Positioning System (GPS) handheld devices were used to provide site staff with navigation and spatial assistance.

Results

An ordered approach to data management ensured that data was accessible at any stage of the project lifecycle regardless of the user who was operating it. 

GIS added significant contract value to the project through intelligent spatial analysis. Key proximity, efficiency, quantity and quality questions could be answered by querying spatial datasets rather than costly and time consuming site visits. 

By operating via a secured gateway and without requiring any specialist software, skills or knowledge, engineers could readily access the spatial data from across the project. This improved the coordination between disciplines that could quickly view other disciplines’ designs and react accordingly.

The Khazzan project was affecting barren desert landscape and GPS devices loaded with existing and design data was invaluable.