From RESCUE to RESQML – The Open Standard Format of Reservoir Earth Model Takes Up New Dimensions and Momentum

Today’s reservoir studies are, more than ever, integrated both upstream with geophysical and geological data, and downstream with flow simulation benchmarked by fast time-lapse production data. Additionally, for such studies there has been an increased use of multiple scenarios, aimed at better understanding uncertainties and reducing risk. BP, Total & Shell, with the strong support of most prominent software companies and institutes, initiated the RESQML Special Interest Group (SIG) and decided to open the concept of consistent Earth Model exchange using XML technology. They defined an initial set of use cases like Import from and to Flow Simulation , Attribute Extraction , Horizon TimeDepth Import , Combine matrix and fracture properties and Update Fault for History Match. Draft XML Schemas of reservoir characterization objects were delivered along 2009 , and were tested and validated against a set of real data provided by Total. By the end of 2009 the first version (V1) was drafted including Structural and Grid Features. The infrastructure has been defined, configured and tested. This includes the global architecture with geolocalization capabilities and a link between XML and a binary file (HDF5). RESQML has gained steady momentum, with the objective to release V2 by year end 2010.