Common Data Access (CDA) says that through a competitive tendering process, it has awarded Schlumberger Information Solutions (SIS) the contract for building and operating its new Seismic DataStorea centralised, state-of-the-art repository for seismic data gathered from the UK continental shelf (UKCS).

Common Data Access (CDA), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oil & Gas UK, provides data management services to the UK oil and gas industry. Access to the new services offered by the Seismic DataStore will not be limited to CDA member companies but will be available to a wider community of seismic data users. The DataStore will allow users to rapidly access seismic data, improve data quality and drive cost efficiencies.

Malcolm Fleming, CDA's chief executive, said: "In the current economic environment of scarcity of credit, UK oil and gas explorers must use their resources in the most efficient way possible. The Seismic DataStore will help them do this because users will be able to download quality-assured seismic data in days or hours compared to the current performance of weeks or even months. This will significantly increase the productivity of expert resources."

Gordon Ballard, chairman of Schlumberger UK, said: "Dramatically reducing the time and cost of retrieving seismic data will not only allow quicker and better prospect development; the quality and completeness of the data will, over time, improve companies chances of exploration success."

Mr Ballard continued, "The Seismic DataStore will also allow faster response times to licence rounds and asset purchase opportunities, all of which contribute to maximising the recovery of the UKs oil and gas, while enabling the preservation of a significant element of the scientific heritage of the UKCS."

Tags: Common Data Access, Schlumberger