The main tasks in this area include registration and storage as well as development and operation of routines and systems that improve data access and utilisation. The data are primarily statutorily reported data from activities in the groundwater, oil/gas and raw materials areas. The databanks also store results from GEUS's own activities. GEUS performs scientific data centre functions in connection with underground and groundwater data and in relation to the European Environment Agency.

This programme area also comprises GEUS's central IT management, participation in the common information technological development project of the Ministry of Environment and Energy and general information tasks, both external and internal.

On an ongoing basis, GEUS seeks to improve the operation of the databanks. These are cost-consuming and normally bind a considerable amount of basic funds. Owing to investments during the previous years and an extraordinarily sale of released underground data in connection with the fifth licensing round on open Danish acreage, both the total resource contribution and the spending of basic funds were limited in 1997.

The rationalisation efforts include a gradual integration of the comprehensive data collections in the archives of the former DGU and GGU. The integration was continued in 1997, and operational advantages have been achieved in this area.

One of the specific focus areas of the performance contract concerns the conversion and linking of several databases containing information about geologic conditions, groundwater chemistry, drinking water chemistry, groundwater abstraction, etc, into an integrated GIS-based Environmental Information System (MIS). During 1997 testing of a preliminary version of the information system was initiated in the National Agency of Environmental Protection and at GEUS. Besides, incorporation of further databases was prepared.

In conjunction with the Danish Energy Agency, GEUS continued the work to improve the common oil/gas-related database system (SAMBA) with a view to system export.

The conversion of GEUS's terminal-based hardware systems to servers was completed. This has cut the operational costs by DKK 1.5 m. As for GEUS, the implementation of "Project Electronic Workplace" of the Ministry of Environment and Energy was also concluded during the year.

In addition to the institutional reports (Annual Report and Accounts, Publication and Project catalogue, etc.), the general presentation activities in 1997 included 4 issues of the popular science magazine "GEOLOGI- nyt fra GEUS" (GEOLOGY - News from GEUS), which discussed water resource and pesticide problems, etc.
Furthermore the newsletters GHEXIS and MINEX in the English language were issued.
Finally, a new and improved home page was published on the Internet (www.geus.dk).

	R996	B1997	R1997	B1998
Man-year consumption (number)	73	78	72	81
Total turnover (DKK million)	38.6	41.1	37.8	40.3
Of this basic funds (DKK million)	34.8	37.9	27.5	35.1
External funds (DKK million)	3.8	3.2	10.3	5.2
External funds ratio	10%	8%	27%	13%