ANNUAL REPORT 2003
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Databanks, information technology and information to the general public |
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New key to data for billions
A new version of the comprehensive subsurface database SAMBA was introduced in 2003. SAMBA contains a myriad of information from deep wells and geophysics collected in connection with many years of exploration and production of oil and gas and other uses of the subsurface. Thus, SAMBA contains information about 365,000 km of seismic lines and geological information and log data from innumerable boreholes and it has cost billions of kroner to collect this information. This is where authorities can find information about oil production from wells, license information and reports from North Sea activities. Finally, SAMBA works as a registration system for cores samples and other geological material in GEUS' core sample storage which has more than 60,000 core boxes. The database, which is run in cooperation with the Danish Energy Authority, is an important key to subsurface data that society can draw upon in future in connection with continued oil and gas research and exploration as well as studies of the possibilities of exploiting geothermal energy and storage of CO2 in the subsurface. Some of the information in the database is confidential, but a selection of geological and geophysical data is available at the GEUS website. |
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232,000 wells available on the Internet
When Danish people want clean drinking water in their glass and gravel, sand, clay and limestone for building, industry and agriculture, they can get help from the Well Data Archive at GEUS. Since 1926, geological information has been archived here from more than 270,000 holes drilled in the top 5-250 metres of Denmark's surface. At the end of 2003, GEUS completed its work in making 232,000 of these wells available on the Internet. Many of the holes have primarily been drilled in search of water, but also to check the bearing capacity of the ground in connection with building and when exploring for mineral resources and contamination. Danes can now access information from the GEUS website about the geology in wells and information about groundwater pumping and placement of filters etc. The search among the many wells is carried out on maps where users can easily click their way to relevant areas and find information about wells. The information is then directly extracted from GEUS' electronic well database Jupiter. Through the years, the well archive has been an important source of information about Denmark's geology and groundwater in connection with water supply, the hydrogeological mapping of Denmark in the 1970's, and large-scale environmental research projects such as the landfill studies in the 1980's and the Danish Environmental Research Programme in the 1990's. Today, the archive data are, for example, used in the work with zoning and detailed mapping of Danish groundwater resources. The well archive is a result of legislation made with foresight. It appears from the first water supply act from 1926 that information about all water supply wells must be reported to GEUS. Since 1978, the Mineral Resources Act has also provided for a duty to report mineral resource wells. Well borers, regional authorities, water works, consultancy firms and producers of raw materials have all been important contributors to the building of the Well Data Archive. |
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The North Sea and the readers in focus
The popular-science magazine, "Geologi - Nyt fra GEUS", was published in four issues in 2003. Three of those issues describe geological research in the North Sea and focus on oil geological surveys of the Valdemar Field and on marine geological surveys at the Jutland Reef and Horns Reef near Blåvands Huk. However, readers have also been able to read the story about the exciting geology in southern West Greenland which boasts the famous geological Ilimaussaq Complex where more than 225 different minerals have been found. Towards the end of 2003, GEUS carried out a reader survey with regard to "Geologi - Nyt fra GEUS" in order to measure reader satisfaction. An overwhelming response rate has provided a good basis for an analysis of reader satisfaction with the magazine. |
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Web communication of geology on the increase
To an increasing extent, information regarding GEUS' activities, publications, data and services is communicated through our website. Also in 2003, www.geus.dk scored top marks in the evaluation "Bedst på nettet" (best on the net), and the website was also among the nominees for the award "Bedst på nettet" in the category research, consultancy and training. The number of external visits to the website has risen from about 100,000 in 2002 to about 380,000 in 2003. More than half of these visits are from abroad. In cooperation with the Danish Forest and Nature Agency and regional authorities, GEUS has also participated with technical knowledge and financial support to the project "Geologi i Danmark" (geology in Denmark). Popular-scientific descriptions of more than 90 geological sites can be found at www.naturnet.dk. The project commenced by the Nationalkomiteen for Geologi (national committee for geology) is supported by the Danish Outdoor Council. The Midtsønderjyllands Museum (museum of central south Jutland) has prepared the descriptions. |
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Geological consultancy service
Again in 2003, many people have phoned the GEUS consultancy service with questions about geology. Most calls pertain to information about wells and come from many of GEUS' target groups, such as well borers, water works, consulting engineers, regional and local authorities and government agencies. However, sales of geological and hydrogeological maps as well as general geological consultancy are also in demand. Finally, many schools and citizens make use of the consultancy service to ask many types of geological questions. |
