Schlumberger Petrel

Schlumberger Petrel
Name	Petrel
Developer	Schlumberger
Released	1999
Latest release	(varies by year)
Operating system	Microsoft Windows
Genre	Reservoir modeling, geoscience software
License	Proprietary

Schlumberger Petrel Schlumberger Petrel is a commercial software platform for subsurface interpretation, reservoir characterization, and simulation used across petroleum and geoscience industries. The platform integrates seismic interpretation, geological modeling, petrophysical analysis, and reservoir simulation workflows to support exploration and production decisions. Petrel is positioned alongside other industry tools and is employed by major oil companies, service companies, and national oil companies worldwide.

Overview

Petrel provides an integrated environment that connects seismic interpretation and reservoir modeling with well planning and production forecasting, used by organizations such as ExxonMobil, Shell plc, BP, Chevron Corporation, and TotalEnergies. The platform interfaces with data standards and formats supported by institutions including SEG-related initiatives and industry consortia like the Open Group and ISO. Petrel competes and interoperates with products from corporations such as Halliburton, Baker Hughes, Emerson, CGG, and IHS Markit in multidisciplinary workflows involving participants like Petrobras, Equinor, ConocoPhillips, and Saudi Aramco.

History and Development

Petrel originated in the late 1990s amid rapid consolidation and technology transfer between companies such as Schlumberger Limited, legacy software groups, and research centers associated with universities like Stanford University and Imperial College London. Early development paralleled advances by providers including Roxar and Paradigm and was influenced by geoscientists from organizations such as TGS and ION Geophysical. Over successive releases, Petrel incorporated modules and interoperability improvements inspired by standards promoted by OASIS and projects with customers like Rosneft and CNPC.

Features and Capabilities

Petrel includes tools for seismic interpretation, well correlation, stratigraphic modeling, structural modeling, property modeling, and upscaling for simulation used by teams at TotalEnergies EP and research groups at University of Texas at Austin. Key capabilities mirror workflows in reservoir engineering practiced at Halliburton Landmark, Schneider Electric-affiliated operations, and field development planning done by Eni. Modules support integration with reservoir simulators such as ECLIPSE, CMG, and Schlumberger Eclipse-family solutions, and link to production systems used by firms like PetroChina and KBR.

Architecture and Technology

Petrel's architecture is built on a plugin and module framework enabling third-party extensions from vendors like Schlumberger Software Services, IHS Markit partners, and consultancies such as Wood Group and McDermott International. The platform leverages Microsoft technologies similar to those used by Microsoft Visual Studio and data management approaches employed by enterprises like SAP SE and Oracle Corporation. Underlying geospatial and grid technologies echo research from institutions like Los Alamos National Laboratory and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, while visualization components reflect patterns used by software from Siemens and Autodesk.

Applications and Industry Use

Petrel is applied in workflows for exploration campaigns by companies including Occidental Petroleum, Marathon Oil, Hess Corporation, and Repsol, for field appraisal and development planning at operators such as PTT Exploration and Production and StatoilHydro (now Equinor). It supports integrated asset modeling used in joint ventures with participants like Enbridge and TransCanada Corporation, and underpins studies tied to regulatory filings in jurisdictions involving agencies like Norwegian Petroleum Directorate and Nigerian Petroleum Development Company. Academic collaborations have involved groups at University of Oxford and University of Aberdeen to adapt Petrel workflows to research projects.

Licensing and Business Model

Petrel is licensed under a proprietary commercial model marketed by Schlumberger to multinational customers including ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company and national oil companies like Petronas and Pertamina. Licensing options have included seat-based, server-based, and enterprise agreements similar to arrangements made by AVEVA and Bentley Systems, with support and training provided by Schlumberger divisions and partners such as Schlumberger Information Solutions and consulting firms like Accenture and Deloitte. Procurement and deployment often involve integration with IT vendors such as IBM and Hewlett Packard Enterprise.

Reception and Criticism

Petrel is widely used and praised by practitioners at Shell Projects and Technology and research consortia including SPE for its integrated workflows and extensibility, while critics in forums and industry reports have pointed to concerns voiced by users at Chevron Technology Center and independent consultants regarding licensing costs, scalability for very large models, and interoperability with emerging open-source ecosystems led by projects associated with Apache Software Foundation and OSGeo. Academic analyses from Society for Petroleum Engineers conferences and case studies from institutions like King Abdullah University of Science and Technology discuss strengths and limitations in areas such as uncertainty quantification and fractured reservoir modeling.

Category:Geoscience software