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Wellsite Information Transfer Specification PDF
Wellsite Information Transfer Specification PDF
Wellsite Information Transfer Specification
Introduction
The WELLSITE INFORMATION TRANSFER SPECIFICATION (WITS) is a communications format used for
the transfer of a wide variety of wellsite data from one computer system to another. It is a recommended
format by which Operating and Service companies involved in the Exploration and Production areas of the
Petroleum Industry may exchange data in either an online or batch transfer mode.
WITS is a multilevel format which offers an easily achieved entry point with increasingly flexible higher
levels. At the lower levels, a fixed format ASCII data stream is employed, while, at the highest level, a self
defining customizable data stream is available.
A WITS data stream consists of discrete data records. Each data record type is generated independently of
other data record types and each has a unique trigger variable and sampling interval. The rig activity usually
determines which records are applicable at any given time such that only appropriate data is transmitted.
WITS also incorporates the means for a remote computer system to send instructions to the sending system
in order to set or change certain parameters, including the type of data transmitted and the interval for
transmission.
As well as specifying a format for data transmission, WITS also defines a basic set of predefined records to
which userdefined record types may be added.
WITS has been used extensively for a number of years by working for many operators around the world to
facilitate informationsharing and to provide data to remote monitoring facilities.
Background
Over the years many Operating and Service companies developed proprietary formats for electronic data
exchange. When a new working relationship was established between a Service company and an Operator,
new software often had to be written, followed by extensive testing and debugging before the data collection
and analysis systems of the two entities could communicate with one another correctly. This often led to
problem startups with the resulting loss of time and data. The ongoing development and maintenance of
these formats represented a significant expenditure.
The cost and complexity of format matching and modification often led to a reluctance on the part of some
Operators to get involved in this type of service, and a great deal of rig data, which might have been
extremely useful in rig performance evaluation, drilling monitoring and control, and formation evaluation
while drilling, was often not collected or was not readily available to decision makers.
In an attempt to resolve this information transfer problem, the Wellsite Information Transfer Specification
was established .
A number of Operating and Service company representatives with wide experience in the areas of computer
software system development, geology and drilling engineering formed the first workgroup to look into the
needs of the industry in this area. All were familiar with the problems associated with the profusion and
mismatch of rig data formats.
To ensure that any format proposed was both complete and acceptable to the industry as a whole, a vigorous
effort was made to involve representatives from as many Operating and Service companies as possible. This
effort included correspondence with companies operating in Europe and Asia as well as the United States.
The goal of the work group was broad but concrete:
"To define the format and information content of the
data stream transmitted from a wellsite to a central
site by telecommunications facilities or hard media".
To minimize omissions in the format, a major effort was made to obtain an inventory of data items monitored
or collected at the wellsite in the following areas:
Geology
Drilling Engineering
Measurement While Drilling (MWD)
Rig Parameters
Cementing
Drill Stem Testing
Companies providing data collection services in these areas were polled for data items and formats currently
in use. Concurrent with the effort, the group's members familiarized themselves with the major existing
formats and data transmission systems in use in the industry. With a comprehensive data dictionary
established and with representatives on the subcommittee familiar with existing formats, careful
consideration led to a set of requirements which, it was hoped, would satisfy the present and future needs of
both Operating and Service companies. Among these requirements were:
achievable by both small and large companies
adaptable to the needs of the industry over the course of time as technology changes
offer a simple, low cost entry point
limit long term software support costs
employ an efficient mode of transmission
be capable of use in both online and in batch modes
be capable of implementation on a wide range of computer platforms
meet the needs of both the single remote user and the multirig data center
encompass existing standards (official or "de facto") where possible
address international as well as domestic needs
With these requirements in mind, the subcommittee adopted the Log Information Standard (LIS) as the basic
framework for WITS and set about formulating the specific components of the format. LIS was chosen since
it met many of the requirements set out for WITS and was a well established and familiar method of data
exchange (a "de facto" standard in the wireline industry).
The WITS Steering Group is also a member of the API Petroleum Information Data Exchange (PIDX). The
APIPIDX WITS User Group exists to promote the format, respond to questions of interpretation, and to
investigate ways of enhancing the format to meet new requirements in the future.
WITS Transmission Levels
The following summarizes the various levels of WITS:
Level 0
Also known as "Intra Rig Transfer Specification", this involves a very basic ASCII transfer format
intended primarily for sharing of information between service companies, though lending itself well as
a simple entry point into wellsite data transfer. Data items are identified by a numeric string tying the
value to a particular location within a PreDefined Record, or to an agreed upon addition to the Data
Dictionary.
Level 1
In Level 1 and above, the data stream takes on a binary (LIS) format. Values are expressed in LIS
defined representations (e.g. floating point, integer, string, etc) The data items are packaged into a
WITS Data Record and then sandwiched between LIS Physical and Logical Record Headers and
Trailers, to make up a LIS Data Record.
Twenty five PreDefined Records have been identified, covering, among other areas, drilling, geology,
directional work, MWD, cementing and testing. At Level 1, these data records, generated at varying
times and under varying rig conditions, are constructed and placed in the data communications
channel.
No LIS record types besides Data Records are used at this level. Each of the 25 PreDefined Records
has a fixed size in bytes. However, each contains designated 'spare' channels for limited customization.
The PreDefined Records are:
WITS PreDefined Record Types
Level 2
WITS Level 2 builds on Level 1 through addition of WITS bidirectional dialogue through the use of
LIS Comment records. This dialogue is used in synchronization at start up and after a communications
line interruption, as well as permitting twoway messaging between the sender and receiver. Such
messages might include requests for change in transmission intervals for certain records, for example.
Level 2b
WITS Level 2b adds the option to buffer data that has been transmitted, making it available for re
transmission in the event of nonreceipt of data by the receiver.
Level 4
WITS Level 4 employs a completely different format than the previous levels since it is based on the
emerging data transfer standard of API RP66. The concepts of PreDefined Records and BiDirectional
Dialogue remain, but using RP66 as the formatting mechanism.
Industry Participation
Participants in the steering group include:
Baker Hughes INTEQ
Schlumberger Anadrill
Halliburton
Sperry Sun
MD/Totco
Experience
Operating companies for wells on which WITS services have been provided
Service companies with experience providing WITS services
Countries/areas where WITS services have been provided
United Kingdom Norway Denmark Holland Canada Trinidad
India Myanmar Tunisia United States Congo Malaysia
Australia Papua New Guinea Indonesia Venezuela South Africa Egypt
Nigeria Japan Namibia