The Management of Oil Industry Exploration & Production Data

In this review of The Management of Oil Industry Exploration & Production Data (Color Edition) the bottom line is clear: this book is a practical, specialised reference for professionals who manage subsurface technical data in oil and gas organisations. It delivers a readable balance of theory and hands-on guidance for applying data management frameworks to exploration and production datasets. The strongest reason to buy is its focus on mapping generic data management concepts to the realities of subsurface information, helping readers translate policy into processes that improve data quality and business outcomes.

Key Features

• Practical application: Shows how the Data Management Body of Knowledge can be adapted to subsurface technical data so practitioners can apply standards without forcing unsuitable processes.
• Framework integration: Explains how project management, ITIL service delivery and enterprise architecture combine to create sustainable data services for users.
• Change and document management: Describes approaches to change management and document control that protect data integrity across exploration and production workflows.
• Information architecture: Outlines information architecture techniques that help organise complex subsurface datasets for easier discovery and reuse by technical teams.
• Stakeholder communication: Advises on presenting results to users and senior executives so they understand the business benefits of improved data.

Who It's For

This book is aimed at data managers, subsurface specialists, information architects and IT professionals working in exploration and production who need a domain-specific approach to data governance and delivery. It is especially valuable to those responsible for setting up or improving data management services within an oil company.

Readers who want a high-level business strategy without practical implementation hints may find parts of the book more tactical than strategic. Those looking exclusively for geoscience workflows or software tutorials should look elsewhere; the focus here is on information management practices rather than vendor tools.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Covers how to adapt DAMA principles to subsurface data, providing concrete guidance for a specialised domain.
• Integrates multiple disciplines such as ITIL, enterprise architecture and project management to form a coherent data delivery approach.
• Provides practical advice on communicating value to stakeholders, which helps secure executive support for data initiatives.

Cons

• Not a software manual or step-by-step geoscience guide, so it may lack depth for readers seeking tool-specific instructions.

Specifications

Title	The Management of Oil Industry Exploration & Production Data (Color Edition)
Author	Mr Steve Hawtin
Focus	Subsurface technical data management and governance
Key frameworks covered	Data Management Body of Knowledge, ITIL, enterprise architecture, project management
Topics included	Change management, document management, information architecture, stakeholder communication
Intended audience	Data managers, information architects, IT and subsurface professionals

Our Verdict

This is a focused, practical reference for anyone charged with managing exploration and production data. It is good value for practitioners who need to adapt generic data management frameworks to the realities of subsurface information and want concrete ways to deliver and present data services to the business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book cover software tools?
It focuses on methods and governance rather than detailed tutorials for specific software products.

Who wrote the book?
The author is Mr Steve Hawtin, who writes from experience in oil industry data management.

Is it suitable for non-technical managers?
Yes, it includes guidance on communicating value to executives, though some sections assume familiarity with subsurface data issues.