| Three-dimensional images can be much easier for humans to comprehend. Image courtesy of CGGVeritas | From 2-D to 3-D CGGVeritas’ software, known as Geocluster, accomplishes this by creating three-dimensional underground maps which outline properties of the subsurface, along with the locations of oil and gas reserves. A sister application, known as Reservoir Simulation, models how these reserves will evolve throughout the drilling process, enabling more efficient extraction. The data is then interpreted by a geophysicist who directs the exploratory company where to drill.
Both Geocluster and Reservoir Simulation were developed to operate in a grid environment using gLite, by the virtual organization EGEODE, using EGEE's infrastructure as a research environment and testbed. Members of the virtual organization come from both the business sector, such as Youinou, and from six academic laboratories.
CGGVeritas will sell the application software as a package or a service. CGGVeritas has used EGEE’s gLite middleware to develop a separate infrastructure for businesses. They offer their service via a web portal “This is a huge benefit to the client,” says Youinou. “Beyond the ability to process data quicker, without managing new IT hardware and software, he can access data wherever and whenever and can easily collaborate with distant colleagues. In the end, their business will be more flexible and they will be able to reach the market more quickly.”
The work is a partner of the BEinGRID project, which focus on the benefits of grid technology for business.
—Danielle Venton, EGEE Ref : http://www.isgtw.org/?pid=1001436 |