Open Source Geographic Information System and petrel software: Adaptation and integration

Abstract

We present here the development of an Open Source Geographic Information System (OSGIS) tool using MapWindow GIS and petrel software to prove its efficiency for different applications. Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer system capable of capturing, storing, analyzing, and displaying geographically all types of data. MapWindow is free of charge, extensible geographic information system (GIS) that can be used as an open-source alternative to desktop GIS to develop and distribute custom spatial data analysis tools. It is a “Programmable Geographic Information System” that supports manipulation, analysis, and viewing of geospatial data and associated attribute data in several standard GIS data formats. It is a mapping tool, a GIS modeling system, and a GIS application programming interface (API) all in one convenient redistributable package. It was developed by MapWindow Open Source Team to address the need for a GIS programming tool that could be used in engineering research, without requiring the purchase of a commercial GIS system, or become a GIS expert. In the following, we use Petrel software for subsurface interpretation and modeling to build and update reliable subsurface models for a study area. It allows the user to interpret seismic data, perform well correlation, build reservoir models suitable for simulation, submit and visualize simulation results, calculate volumes, produce maps and design development strategies to maximize reservoir exploitation. A new kind of application is tested for the sake of scientific satisfaction. We had used MapWindow in many applications and always proved efficient. We found Open Source MapWindow GIS is as efficient as the commercial GIS for essential applications such as Mapping, Navigation, and Tracking. Moreover, it is a free of charge tool. We have been using it in our applications and research such as OSGIS for BAU and in the design of a web site for navigation and tracking to be used by interested users on the web.