About WorldEnergy

Site Philosophy

Exploration for oil and gas has become an increasingly global enterprise. Within developing countries, modern high-technology communications and exploration data handling are often very difficult. The rapidly expanding use of INTERNET and World Wide Web (WWW) occurring within the developed countries cannot be supported by the existing communications infrastructure in several parts of the world. Some countries in Africa and parts of Central Asia have little more than basic phone service to the rest of the world. Yet these same countries contain some of the most important oil and gas exploration regions in the entire world.

This limited communication capability has restricted the flow of information concerning exploration opportunities between the various national governments and the oil and gas exploration, production, and service companies. S. Morrice and Associates, Ltd. (SMA dba WorldEnergy), a Denver-based petroleum technology consultancy group, and the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) are addressing this communications and technology-transfer problem.

A freely accessible INTERNET site, established and operated by WorldEnergy and CSM, is proposed as the most rapid and economical solution to improved communications. The site provides a world-wide audience with relevant information related to global oil and gas exploration. Current technology limitations lead to the conclusion that such on-line communication should be established in North America, where many of the largest public-domain data bases currently reside, and where the INTERNET infrastructure is most robust. A North American location makes the linkage easier for US industry, facilitates access to US Government data bases and research products, and encourages the adoption of the technical knowledge and experience of US firms by the global market.

In addition, many countries are anxious for assistance in their needs for energy development. These needs go beyond exploration and production and include; financing, refining, distribution, electrification, pipelines/transportation, implementation and adoption of sophisticated technologies. WorldEnergy will enable the ³airing² of such needs, and the opportunity for participation from many different sectors.

WorldEnergy has formed a strategic alliance with CSM to jointly develop this INTERNET site and we are currently serving the CSM PTTC pages. The Denver location offers several advantages. Denver is the second largest oil and gas market and probably the premier mining market in the USA. The largest oil and gas data vendors are located in Denver. Together WorldEnergy and CSM provide critical and complementary skills and experience that will ensure that the information provided by the proposed INTERNET site will be relevant and timely.

In 1994, SMA proposed and implemented the first "International Pavilion" at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) in Denver. The International Pavilion was a specialized area within the regular convention exhibit hall where countries from around the world could demonstrate their oil and gas potential to the industry at large. The International Pavilion was an enormous success; over 50 countries participated. It has been repeated at the 1995 AAPG Meeting and will continue to be a part of future AAPG Annual Meetings.

However, the International Pavilion provides only annual contacts. While the importance of face-to-face contacts and discussions cannot be dismissed, SMA believes that there is no reason why countries should be restricted to sharing information on an annual basis when INTERNET technologies can facilitate a 24-hour presence. Why not take advantage of the global communications technology and provide continuous 24-hour online information exchange?

The Geology and Geological Engineering Department at the Colorado School of Mines also brings important skills and experience to this partnership. The development of the proposed INTERNET site at CSM is compatible with the CSM educational and research mission, and the involvement of CSM faculty and students in developing the site content will also strengthen the quality of the information provided by the INTERNET site, because:

CSM has strong, extensive, lengthy, and well-documented ties with the petroleum exploration industry
CSM has worldwide contacts and has long been viewed as a premier institution providing educational training and research in the geosciences
the recent establishment of the Rocky Mountain regional center of the Petroleum Technology Transfer Council (PTTC) at CSM provides a parallel technology and information transfer focus that will enhance, and be enhanced by, the international focus of the proposed INTERNET site
information collection, analysis, and assessment, combined with technology transfer functions, provides an important and practical educational experience for CSM students that prepares them for future careers which will involve the use of global communications
the strong international graduate student population at CSM provides an important resource for developing information to be disseminated by the site, and for publicizing the utility of the site.

WorldEnergy will serve both domestic and international users. About 50 governmental oil and gas agencies have already indicated their interest in participating in the project. This interest comes from geographically diverse countries, including several newly independent republics formerly within the Soviet Union, as well as several located in the Far East, Africa, and Europe. There appears to be a good chance that a close collaboration with the European Community will develop; this is based on recent discussions between US and EU representatives in Washington that included SMA participation.

WorldEnergy will utilize high quality, state-of-the-art technologies and will contain valuable and original information gathered by the developers. However, this site will not replicate existing data bases or information already provided on the INTERNET, rather it will:

facilitate the exchange of geological/geophysical data and ideas
act as a pointer to geological databases around the world
identify and catalog diverse data sources, and link the user to these data sources on demand
supplement existing data sources with exploration-specific, critical information obtained from national, international, and industry sources
stimulate cross-communication with compatible industries and technologies (for example, the common issues raised by 3D medical imaging and 3D seismic research and applications)
provide information on conferences, discussion groups, newsfeeds, downloadable files, and databases
provide information exchanges on other pertinent subjects, including law (domestic and international), financial markets, and research/development centers

Through strategic alliances with governments and research facilities the site will also become the hub for "new technology transfer" programs currently under development between government and industry.