Barco Simulation’s Visual Display Technology Makes Impact at SEG Oil & Gas Exposition
Delegates from the world’s leading oil & gas companies at this year’s annual Society for Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) Expo in Dallas, Texas (October 26 – 31) saw first-hand how Barco Simulation’s visual display solutions can be used to efficiently and cost-effectively perform oil and gas exploration. Barco’s state-of-the-art CADWallTM and TRACETM technologies truly demonstrated the power of virtual collaboration, analysis, and decision-making for geophysical applications.
“The combination of Barco’s visual display technology and Schlumberger’s software provides industries, such as the oil and gas industry, the ability to visualize and interact with very large data sets in a collaborative fashion," explains Ken Hunter, director of sales and marketing V&AR for Barco Simulation. "This solution
extends the capabilities of designers, engineers, and scientists. The objective is to provide a complete solution which enables real-time visualization, analysis, and decision-making."
Schlumberger Information Solutions (SIS) used its proprietary InsideRealityTM software and Barco’s CADWall technology to demonstrate two real-time collaborative sessions a day to oil & gas industry professionals. The team in Dallas interacted with colleagues in Gatwick UK and Houston via the iCenterTM CADWall system. Powered by Barco’s Galaxy WARPTM Active Stereo three-chip DLPTM projectors, the system provided the 3D collaborative viewing capabilities needed to effectively interpret seismic information.
Barco’s CADWall technology enables multi-disciplinary exploration teams to collaborate locally and remotely so that they can understand complex geoscientific data and make decisions in real-time, in order to enhance the decision-making and planning processes. Thanks to the collaborative and immersive environment of the CADWall, multi-disciplinary teams can see and evaluate seismic data, complex reservoir models, well logs, and geologic cross sections. This process enables the teams to anticipate all kinds of problems, which saves both time and money.
At another booth, the Petrel company (a Schlumberger product group) demonstrated its workflow technology for geophysical applications using Barco’s new dual-channel TRACE system -- also driven by Galaxy WARP projectors. "This is the first chance for us to show off our TRACE technology at the SEG show," said Hunter. "We know that collaborative visualization and high-end functionality are key factors in geophysical applications - areas where TRACE is simply unsurpassed. Add in features like compact design, transportability, scalability, and the real-time interaction with data, and you can see why the TRACE solution is receiving some serious attention."
Barco’s TRACE technology incorporates all the functionality of a large-scale visualization system into a cost-effective, portable, scalable plug-and-play solution. It is designed to fit through a normal door opening without requiring any room modifications or build-out. It enables teams to visualize data in a well-lit room, allowing for better eye-to-eye collaboration. Active 3D stereo display enhances intuitive understanding and accurate analysis of the complex data. Real-time interaction with the data leads to quick team decision-making. In addition, the Barco TRACE is scalable from a one-channel to multi-channel configuration. It’s an ideal solution suited for any application requiring the visualization of complex data sets or vast amounts of information.
About Barco Simulation
Barco Simulation designs and builds turnkey immersive visualization solutions for virtual collaboration, analysis, and decision-making. It has implemented numerous visual display projects for key imaging technology companies and various large oil and gas companies worldwide. Installations range from virtual prototyping in the automotive industry, oil and gas exploration, molecular modeling, medical surgery, and scientific research.
About the Barco Corporation
Barco, with headquarters in Kortrijk, Belgium, has three key activities, which are all active in Image Processing. BarcoProjection is in various markets of large screen visualization. BarcoView develops and manufactures display systems for life critical applications, while BarcoVision is in systems for visual inspection and quality control.
In 2002, the entire Barco group delivered revenue of Euro 669.0 million. Barco has a network of subsidiaries, distributors, and agents in almost 100 countries throughout the world. Barco is quoted on Brussels/Euronext and is a BEL 20 and a Next 150 company. In the US, Barco facilities are located in Xenia (Ohio), Duluth and Kennesaw, (Georgia), Beaverton, Portland, (Oregon), West-Sacramento (California), and Charlotte (North-Carolina). Over 500 US associates develop, manufacture, and market high-end Image Processing solutions for dedicated niche markets.
*WARP and TRACE are trademarks of Barco. iCenter is a trademark and Inside Reality is a registered trademark of Schlumberger Information Solutions.
