Thursday, July 24, 2008

Stratigraphic column software

Does anybody out there know of any good, basic, easy to use software that will turn core logs into nice looking stratigraphic columns? It doesn’t have to be fancy, or have the ability to deal with structure- I just need something basic. And as always, cheap would be nice and free would be better. I just want something that will save me the wrist strain caused by drawing forty million little squares all the way down 3000 meters of carbonates.

13 comments:

Silver Fox said...

The only thing I know of is Downhole Explorer by Rockware - but it's something for the company to buy at $3000+ !!

C W Magee said...

I can hire starving artists to draw my columns for me with that kind of $$.

As long as the boss types don't ask why my strat columns are drawn on taped together bits of cigarette paper...

Anonymous said...

There's a program called WellCad, but I have no idea how expensive it is. If you do end up drafting them yourself, you can get geologic fills for Illustrator.

Kim said...

Our sed geologist uses Canvas, I'm afraid. (Illustrator would do just as well, but he knows Canvas.) If he knew about something free, he would probably use it.

Silver Fox said...

I'll send cig papers if you need them. ;)

Chris Phoenix said...

If all you need is a vertical column of different-colored rectangles, it should be possible to use Python or some other scripting language to convert a comma-separated spreadsheet of data into PostScript, which you can then import into the program of your choice and print. Email me at cphoenix (at) gmail.com for more details.

Anonymous said...

Wish I could help you on that one, I use Petra for everything - but it's pricey and way more than you need. I'll email the Uranium guys and see if they know of anything.

Ben said...

If you can write a short spec with example input and output I might be able to come up with something.

C W Magee said...

Chris,
I know it is possible- should even be pretty easy. What I was wondering was if anybody had actually done it and posted the product on some obscure website that I had never heard of.

Sabine-
So they get the cheap rigs AND the cheap software? What kind of hardball manager are you?
;)

I've tried emailing some folks at the state surveys- they tend to be over worked and under funded, so they might have a good solution.

C W Magee said...

Ben, are you home today? I've got the little one, so we might bring you some rhubarb if you are around...

(Oh no, I've hijacked my own thread...)

Anonymous said...

They have all kinds of software in the uranium division, but they tend to only need the simple software (spent twelve grand on Petra licenses for them and I customized a database for them, but they never used it). As for rigs, they have thirteen nice ones they just can't find any decent drillers. In O&G we have kept Grey Wolf 310 busy for five consecutive years, but we need that big ole' tripple to punch out the deep gas wells. Hopefully I'll get a smaller rig soon to go chase some shallow strat oil plays I have stuck in my back pocket... :)

Also, I am cuter than they are. :)

Anonymous said...

We use some software called "GeODin" (www.geodin-system.com), which has been developed primarily for the German market, but they're also have an English version with some "international" "object types" (as every country seems to need at least one nomenclature, and Germany even more...).

Prices are between 1300 and 4000 Euro, depending on additional features. There's an educational offer, 400 Euro for 10 licenses.

Additionally they have a free version called "Shuttle" for demo/testing and data entry in the field. Last time I saw it, the main limitation was that you couldn't save your graphics, and the printouts had "Demo" water-signs all over them. :-(

Still, it might help to get a first impression.

Anonymous said...

Found this page when searching for stratigrahpic column software. Eventually found this useful link to SedLog a freeware logging program-
<a href="http://www.sedlog.com/>SedLog</a>