GeoSim has developed simulators for several geographical regions which present various geological issues, such as Norway’s Svalbard (Spitsbergen) islands, Snøhvit in northern Norway, eastern Greenland and Utah in the USA.

Simulators are now being developed in Texas, USA, and in the Crimea, in partnership with local universities.

New geosimulators contain greater amounts of geological and geophysical data from relevant oil fields. Use of landscape types onshore to improve interpretation of offshore fields will therefore be significantly improved.

Developing geosimulators calls for large volumes of data and images from fields for a simulator’s area. This material has been collected in cooperation with relevant Statoil specialists.

A highly intuitive and visual interface for logging of this data has been developed, making it possible for geophysicists and geologists to contribute actively to the further development of the geosimulators.

At the start, users were students and geology graduates, but user groups have gradually come to include experienced geologists, professors and decision-makers within the oil industry.

The project (originally named Geo2000) has received much attention, both in Norway and internationally.

The group’s principal partner in developing software for the simulators is Norway’s Systems in Motion IT company.

The geosimulators have been developed under the direction of Bjørn Sæther at Statoil’s research centre in the Rotvoll district of Trondheim, Norway. Dr Sæther holds a Master’s degree in information technology and a doctorate in applied geophysics.

Dr Sæther can be contacted at bsae@statoil.com.