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Geological Society, London, Special Publications; 1995; v. 97; p. 13-23;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.SP.1995.097.01.03
© 1995 Geological Society of London

Database design

Data modelling a general-purpose petroleum geological database

K. J. Chew

Petroconsultants SA, PO Box 152, 24 Chemin de la Mairie, 1258 Perly, Geneva, Switzerland

Experience gained while modelling a petroleum geological database can be summarized as follows. General-purpose database models should reflect the real world, complete with imperfections, and avoid being application-oriented in design. In geological database modelling it is necessary to separate the recording of descriptive features (empirical data) from that of geological processes (concepts). Detailed analysis reveals that many geological relationships assumed to be inherently hierarchical are in fact many-to-many. Ambiguity and inconsistency in definitions should be avoided, if necessary by adopting a definition at variance with industry norms. Use of generic entities simplifies the modelling exercise and can benefit the end-user.