OGP Publishes Revised Versions of Geophysical Position Data Exchange Formats
OGP has formally released revised versions of the former UKOOA (United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association, now Oil & Gas UK) P1, P2 and P6 formats for the exchange of geophysical position data in the oil & gas industry. The new versions provide a genuine standard medium for data exchange, introduce greater flexibility and add several improvements to the content. The formats (OGP P1/11, OGP P2/11, OGP P6/11) are available on the website at: http://www.ogp.org.uk/publications/geomatics-committee/p-formats-for-the-exchange-of-positioning-data.
Since the early 1990s, all marine seismic position data collected in the field has been recorded using the ‘P’ formats, commonly P1/90 and P2/94. These formats were originally developed by UKOOA and then adopted by the industry for use worldwide, and have been in use ever since. In 2006 the ownership of the formats was transferred to the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (OGP) Geomatics Committee. In 2009, following industry consultation, a P1/P2 Revision Task Force was formed to undertake a revision. The aim was to address the fact that existing formats were becoming obsolete due to advances in acquisition and processing technologies and that an increasing number of non-standard variations and “add-ons” were being used.
During discussions with the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), it was agreed that the revised formats would benefit from other changes that would complement the revisions then underway within the SEG-D revision process.* The decision was also made that the aging SEG-P1 format would be deprecated and replaced as part of this process. This facilitates P1 to be used for land seismic also. Looking towards future developments in the seismic industry the Task Force has also been in discussion with the SPS revision group in SEG, with a view to alignment between the formats where they have a common purpose, such as to describe the geodetic reference of position data.
Following the formation of the Revision Task Force in October 2009, extensive work has been undertaken to bring the formats fully up-to-date, adopting common practices.
Consultation with industry sources has resulted in notable changes, including the definition of a Common Header, appearing at the beginning of each revised ‘P’ format file, containing survey summary and configuration data. Improvements in the definition of Coordinate Reference Systems, the handling of pre-plot data, the definition of positional information and its accuracy, and many more enhancements have been made, allowing greater flexibility in dealing with today’s survey configurations and those in the future.
Specifically for handling 3D seismic position data, a 3D Seismic Bin Grid Task Force was also convened within the Geomatics Committee to review the geospatial integrity issues currently being faced with re-projection of 3D seismic bin grids.
This has incorporated many of the learnings from the P1/P2 Task Force to revise the existing P6/98 exchange format for the definition of 3D Seismic Binning Grids and their associated data exchange, including adoption of the Common Header. In addition to the changes in the revised P6 itself, OGP P6/11 will now replace the P1 in the exchange of bin centre positions.
Alongside the P1 format definition, a User Guide has been published. The P6 format definition will also be supplemented with specific guidance on handling and exchange of bin grid data, a user guide for which is in preparation at this time.
* The International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (OGP) Geomatics Committee supports the adoption of the SEG D Rev 3 format as it believes that there are clear benefits to a wider uptake of SEG D Rev 3 for its members.
Source: www.ogp.org.uk
