We’ve all heard the old subsurface interpretation adage 5 interpreters, 6 interpretations, but how often do project teams take the first interpretation and accept it as correct?
If you have read the Terry Pratchett book Strata, you will know that planets are built by the Company, carefully crafted with artificial strata containing synthetic fossils. On occasion, mischievous Company employees attempt to place anomalous objects as practical jokes to confuse future archaeologists.
This is a work of fiction, but in reality we, as subsurface interpreters, are often thrown a curve ball to decipher. Without the ability to physically put our finger on the rocks at depth, we must rely on our interpretation to proceed. Therefore, it is vital that we test and validate the interpretation we believe to be the most viable.
We can do this ourselves, of course, but this can bring its own difficulties. Being personally involved in a continuing problem means it is easy to become emotionally or mentally invested, which can quickly introduce bias and cloud judgement. It also increases the risk of becoming too familiar with the context and issues, making it difficult to see the situation from a new perspective. In addition, it can lead to the phenomenon of seeing what you want to see or what you ‘think’ you want to see, rather than what the data is actually showing. The same can be said for long term project teams. Groupthink can lead to subconscious inflexibility to new approaches and ideas, or worse, colleagues being afraid to express a different opinion to the collective mindset. Taking a step back in both scenarios should allow the bigger picture to become clear and make opportunities for improvement easier to recognise. However, this can be difficult and is most certainly easier said than done.
Another way of achieving the same goal is to seek an external perspective. By involving new colleagues or conducting an independent review, the problem can be tackled afresh, uninfluenced by prior experiences and assumptions. By enabling new discussions and challenging the ideas already brought forward, alternative approaches, theories and ideas can be considered, leading to more robust interpretations and project outcomes.
Overall, the value of a fresh pair of eyes on a problem cannot be overstated. Whether offering new ideas, challenging assumptions, or providing objective observations, an external perspective can lead to more innovative, efficient and effective solutions.
Merlin’s team have enjoyed working with a number of clients to address this very problem. For those making costly drilling or development investment decisions, getting in a fresh set of eyes brings reassurance that nothing has been overlooked. Different interpretations highlight uncertainties and allow mitigation solutions to be put into place, whether that’s reconsidering a well trajectory or changing a data acquisition programme. For those clients wanting investment, the value of an independent view is in the validation of their project from an external party, either through an official Competent Persons Report or something less formal. Whatever the reason, if you are interested in Merlin being your fresh pair of eyes, please get in touch.
