'The truth is in there' for geoscientists exploring new visualization technology

Walk-in 3D effects are about to join the panoply of techniques available to multi-disciplinary teams searching for a better picture of the subsurface. Andrew McBarnet reports on two pioneering projects. The way we look at petroleum data may well be about to change for ever. That's the impression you get listening to scientists enthusing about the latest 'virtual reality' visualization technology being pioneered notably by Norsk Hydro and Texaco with other oil companies expected to follow suit. Norsk Hydro last month became the world's first oil company to install a CAVE facility. Housed at its research centre in Bergen, CAVE uses sight, spatial awareness and sound to present information in an immersive, experiential environment which is impossible to create with the flat-screen keyboard and mouse interfaces of ordinary workstations. To experience the CAVE users have to wear lightweight stereo glasses. They can then walk into the three dimensional nine feet square space where they can visualize and manipulate different types of geological and reservoir data and models. In effect, the user can walk around and discuss the reservoir with colleagues. For example, by using a 3D pointer, a new production oil well can be planned from inside the reservoir and the effects of any changes can be immediately experienced.