DGH wants help to set up data repository
Anyone interested in helping India set up a National Data Repository should begin approaching the DGH.
A source tells us the DGH is open to ideas from companies that have the required IT competence to set up a seismic databank essential for India to move towards an open acreage policy where companies can bid for blocks all year round. Under consideration are moves to divide up Indias 26 sedimentary basins into exploration blocks with data uploaded onto a website, similar to the EPINT system used by ONGC.
Schlumberger, CGG and Landmark had once evinced interest in helping the DGH establish the repository but their proposals went nowhere. This time we hear an unidentified global company is in talks with the DGH but officials appear willing to consider proposals from other companies also.
Most seismic data on Indias sedimentary basins is held by ONGC and Oil India. Obtaining it will be the DGHs biggest hurdle.