by Dean Gaddy
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) provide a natural fit for the petroleum industry. Almost all petroleum operations can be geospatially defined then linked to GPS, aerial photographs, remote sensing, tabular data sets, and other real-time and historical information flows. In addition, the implementation of GIS can reduce costs associated with redundancy, standardization, data management, and information automation. Beginning with the well prospect and ending at the gas pump, petroleum professionals involved in upstream, midstream, and downstream activities can use GIS for site selection, cross-functional and organizational communications, and economic and market analysis. This introduction outlines the fundamentals of GIS and how it can be used in the petroleum industry. Using nontechnical language, Gaddy explores how to plan, implement, and operate a GIS program.
About the author
Dean E. Gaddy is an Operations Manager for Devon Energy, Corp. He works in Russia where he oversees the company’s drilling, production, and marketing activities in the Volga-Ural region. Gaddy has an MBA in Technology Management from the University of Phoenix and a BA in Earth Sciences—Geology from the University of Northern Colorado.
While working in the Rocky Mountains as a consulting geologist earlier in his career, he became involved with GIS at Unocal. Prior to joining Ocean Energy, Inc. in 2001, Gaddy extensively covered the topic of GIS as Senior Editor for Oil & Gas Journal. In his current position, he applies the network functions of GIS to analyze sales options. Gaddy is also a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.