Why Document Scanning And Digitization Is Important To Oil And Gas In Nigeria

The Oil and Gas industry need successful document management processes to mitigate risk, control project value chains, coordinate deliverables from multiple contractors and produce auditable records.

Well logging is the practice of making detailed records of geological formations penetrated by a borehole and is conducted at several stages in the drilling process. Well logs are the data “backbone” of the petroleum industry and are used by geologists, geophysicists and engineers. Imagine trying to handle paper versions of such vital data while on site, or while researching previous projects. Through well log document scanning and digitisation, the images and hard copies are converted into electronic data that can then be used by a computer. This makes accessing this type of information easier.

By employing the scanning and digitisation process, the information contained in the oil and Gas sector can be handled and stored more securely than it’s paper counterpart. Multiple users are able to access the digitised well log data at an office computer or while on site.

The data format of the well logs regarded as LAS files have broad use for the exploration and production industry. Such information includes actual measurements of subsurface properties from down-hole sensors. The improved ability to read and use such digitised well log data allows analysts to easily re-visit any data necessary for ongoing projects.

The preservation of well logs ensures that the historical insights provided by the drilling will remain intact and accessible for exploration and development efforts. Geologists have traditionally had to sort through dated archives of paper records. Too often, such records can be lost or damaged. The manual searches through hard-copy well-logs can take up as much as 40% of geoscientists time. Imagine if that information was readily available on a computer or even hand-held device?

If properly done, the scanning of well-log data can capture header information, digitise specified curves and utilise back-ups. Capturing the measurements of rock and fluid properties allows for quantifying potential depth zones containing oil and gas. Without an accurate, easy to read version of these measurements, mistakes could be made along the drilling process.

With the potential changes in the oil and gas industry looming, why not be prepared to change with the times. Moving into well-log document scanning and digitising in Nigeria preserves the integrity of valuable data, makes it easier to share the information with other workers on a project, ensures that the critical data is preserved for years to come, and provides a quick turnaround time for field assessment.