How VIDL Works

The purpose of the VIDL Network is to combine on-line module training sessions with the execution of real-data based projects so as to reinforce the learning goals. Our main goal is to inform on what ‘a science’ can do, how is it used and the why.

The VIDL-user has options on how to navigate the VIDL Network web site. There are course modules that cover various topics: introduction to techniques, specific data enhancement operators or tools, etc. There are projects that can consist of a bundle of essential modules, structural modeling, qualitative interpretation of multiple datasets, etc.

Each Module separately can be subscribed by one user for the duration of two (2) months.

Each Project separately can be subscribed to by one user for the duration of four (4) months. There are module prerequisites for the projects. There are several projects that require a level of expertise. Inquire with VIDL Support to determine the level of expertise needed.

Project Databases

VIDL Network experience gives you the opportunity to work through a project with actual data. The available databases are from two types of sources: public domain available at no cost, and licensed data. Our colleagues also are given the capability to import their own proprietary data for a VIDL Project.

Gravity Database

• Bouguer Gravity
• Residual Bouguer Gravity
• Free-air Gravity (satellite-derived)

Magnetic Database

• Total Magnetic Intensity Anomaly Field
• Reduction-to-Magnetic Pole Field
• Residual Magnetic Field

Density

• Rock Properties Chart
• Density/depth curve for an offshore area
• Density/depth curve for an onshore area

Magnetic Susceptibility
Rock Properties Chart

Continental US Well Database
The formation-to-age correlations are not straight-forward as formation names for a given geologic age do change from locale to locale, even within the same state. Over 4,000,000 wells have been scrutinized to develop the US Continental well database which has been datum-corrected to subsea (bsl) depths and transcribe to Latitude & Longitude positions. All formations with corresponding depths were preserved. A colleague can access the database to query and retrieve over 1,000,000 tied well tops. Additional subsets of geological mapped surfaces and corresponding isopachs are available.

Northern Gulf of Mexico Paleo Well Database
A colleague can access the database to query over 150,000 Northern Gulf of Mexico paleontological records of formations from the Upper Pleistocene through the Lower Jurassic. There are also several named geological formations in the database. One has the option to retrieve any subset area of these data to aggregate common geological age records with a depth (z) and then create surfaces with viable geodetics. Several surface maps are also made available.

US Gulf Coast States Magnetic Basement Structure Maps
Any 2D or 3D structural model project should if possible include the basement framework. As a colleague you will the option to retrieve any subset area along the US Gulf Coast States for use in a project. The area available encompasses the Gulf Coast areas for the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

US East Coast Magnetic Basement Structure Maps
Any 2D or 3D structural model project should if possible include the basement framework. As a colleague you will have the option to retrieve any subset area along the US East Coast for use in a project. The area available encompasses the offshore shelf from the states of Maine to Florida.

US Louisiana Salt Tectonics
A Project may entail modeling the salt configuration for a specific area on the Louisiana State shelf margin. The Salt Tectonics database is a regional 3D model of the salt configuration. As a colleague you will be able to retrieve a subset area of the regional salt tectonics model results and refine the salt/sediment interface with your additional proprietary data via a 3D structural model project.

The Human Filter

VIDL Network experience can introduce you to the Human Filter. At least so far, artificial intelligence has not yet been able to replicate the instinct and intuition of a skilled interpreter–one with the necessary technical skills to analyze multiple data sets as well as a creative flair to generate viable prospects.

This is the latest daily news… the data are arriving in unprecedented volumes with even higher resolution. The technology explosion continues in the area of new applications. One must not forget software and hardware technology. In recent years, it has changed the data evaluation process. Depth imaging techniques and 3-D visualization matched with high-speed optimization and neural networks have entered into production mode within the operations of most companies. These procedures are at the point where they have been fine-tuned and are functional, and companies no longer consider them research items.

Perhaps the greatest impact brought to bear by the onslaught of today’s new technology hits the skilled interpreter, inundated by new data, hardware and software. Each advance is promising much, and in some cases, delivering more. This leads to a need for more complex, more interdependent and ultimately more skilled knowledge of both input and output.

Even with the best data and technology at hand, the reality remains…that is, an industry has to interpret information from disparate sciences in order to reduce risk and maximize success.

The Reality Check
I am going to declare “it” has happened; this is the year reality hits. For the past decade, industries have been developing all this record-breaking technology–in acquisition, processing and interpretation techniques. Here comes the reality check: Technology is ineffective without the skilled interpreter.

Data Integrity

VIDL Network experience can introduce you to Data Integrity. The integrity of the data is paramount. A skilled and experienced interpreter understands how the data has been gathered, what has happened to the data in processing, searches for patterns that indicate a solution, can verify the solution with information from other sciences, and knows how to display his conclusions.

The skilled interpreter is honest with data. Data or its interpretation should not be “twisted” or manipulated in order to build or destroy. Keep the integrity of data intact to achieve the best true results.

Reference Library

The VIDL Network team has provided a reference library with two important documents.

• The first is a list of References which shows all the groups and individuals they (as IGC) have worked with over the past 30 years.
• The second is a Glossary of Terms.

We ask that you fill out a form by clicking on the document above to let us know who you are before downloading the reference list or the glossary.