Rationale

As professionals, we rely on hundreds of geoscience and engineering software applications that have coordinate reference system functionality. Costly errors in coordinate data have been a direct result of software problems. These include, but are not limited to: improperly coded geodetic or cartographic algorithms, wrong values for embedded geodetic parameters, poor presentation of user input requirements by software applications, incorrect default settings used without reference to user, software processes not working as specified, confusing or imprecise terminology, lack of error trapping for user blunders, lack of audit trail for forensic analysis, inadequate metadata functionality and misguided users. A joint industry project (JIP) is underway to study these costly and industry-wide problems at a time when correct geospatial data is vital to successful technical and commercial decision making at all levels of E&P companies and throughout work flows.

Objectives of Joint Industry Project

• To transform the management of geospatial data in geoscience software applications to benefit JIP members and improve vendor products and competencies
• To develop and disseminate best practice tools for current software applications and future software developments
• To create a sustainable improvement process in geoscience software applications based on sound geospatial data management

Project Features

• Initiated by funding and contribution in kind from Devon, ExxonMobil and Shell. Additional contributors are sought for 2010 budget
• Initial funding will be credited against JIP activities
• 4 to 6 start-up member companies, 12 to 15 at full JIP (currently 12)
• Oversight by JIP ExCom board defines needs, tasks, and relative priorities
• Project consultants manage JIP authorized tasks within budget and time frame
• Project consultants develop framework and review candidate applications
• Narrowly focused experts used for each review and report
• Vendor cooperation required and developed
• Comprehensive deliverables including findings, recommendations for current and future improvements, and practical work-arounds, ongoing vendor interaction in design of updates and new software product releases
• Working towards establishing sustainable industry standards for spatial component of all geoscience software applications

Project Benefits

• Increase vendor and user awareness of importance of, and correct use of, geodesy in software packages
• Significantly decrease expensive blunders that are presently undetected or in some cases not reversible
• Unified industry standards in due course, vendor self-certification
• Inventory and review of key geodetic engines used in geoscience applications
• Possible expansion of software integrity reviews into engineering, development, and exploitation applications
• Costs, experiences, and results are shared

GEOSPATIAL INTEGRITY: FIND IT, KNOW YOU OWN IT !