Tools, Processes, and Systems: An Integrated Approach to Petroleum Software Training

The petroleum industry has fewer analysts, engineers, and technicians than it did a decade ago. To handle this increased workload, the remaining individuals use a variety of computing options. The question under consideration here is how to most effectively train the right people to use the appropriate computing tools to solve corresponding problems. As the authors have planned the software training at Oil and Gas Consultants Intl. Inc. (OGCI), they have found it useful to divide computing skills into three levels--tools, processes, and systems. These levels are progressively more complex; they build on each other, and represent increasingly higher levels of analysis. This paper draws from their experience training nearly 800 people around the world, in 1993 alone, to better use petroleum software. They use the multi-level approach to highlight training challenges and to suggest possible improvements.