GUIDELINES IN DEVELOPING A FIRST RATE GEOSCIENCE DATA REPOSITORY

Millions of feet of cores and well cuttings are discarded and destroyed all over the country each year. At today's cost, the value of the cores, well samples and other Geoscience data collected over the last 150 years is estimated in the hundreds of billions of dollars, and most are irreplaceable. Obtaining and preserving this data is expensive. To drill new holes each time new information is needed would be grossly inefficient and time consuming. Therefore, a repository that documents the results of previous exploration and makes this valuable information available is the only reasonable solution.

Detailed examination of Geoscience data is important in understanding the reservoirs and discovering more hydrocarbons and minerals critical to the nation's energy security and independence. It helps in the training and educating of the next generation, and the evaluation of water resources, environmental issues and potential geohazards. Geoscience data provides opportunities to conduct research, development and exploration leading to new discoveries. It lowers exploration cost, and increases efficiency and safety.

Developing a first-rate Geoscience data repository is challenging. Success can be achieved by establishing objectives and setting goals. Design, use, and accessibility must be determined for the facility. Regulations and laws will have to be established, as well as rules about utilization of materials. Dedicated, innovative, determined, and enthusiastic personnel are a must. Aggressively solicit material and data from a variety of sources. A user friendly, easy to navigate database listing materials must be developed, as well as a web site to access the database. The facility must be promoted: the advantages and importance of the material for research must be communicated. Publicize the collections and encourage use of the facility. Attract researchers, consultants, students, earth scientists, government and industrial geologist, and academia to the facility. Host meetings, workshops, and seminars, give tours and demonstrations for the public, professionals, industry, and students. Encourage utilization of data available at the repository to generate research. Most of all, to develop a first-rate repository, you must be able to persevere, overcoming difficulties and disappointments.