The Geologic Analysis System is an applications software package designed to integrate and display geologic data used in petroleum exploration and research. The Geologic Analysis System contains two components: (1) a file management system (TECH/SYS) that builds, edits, merges, and extracts data for geologic applications, and (2) applications programs including a geologic mapping and contouring system (PICS), cross section and fence diagram programs, a time-temperature index (TTI) model, a stratigraphic report graphic (SRG), paleontological and geochemical displays, a sample data-display module (SDS), and a variety of multivariate statistical routines.

The Geologic Analysis System has been under development since 1977 when the U.S. Geological Survey assumed responsibility for the National Petroleum Reserve (NPR) exploration program in Alaska. The Geologic Analysis System represents the application of techniques developed during the NPR program for use with data collected by geologists throughout the United States. In cooperation with Petroleum Information Corporation, files of well data, base maps, lithology, petroleum geochemistry, and paleontology have been constructed and analyzed using applications software.

Geologic Analysis System utility is demonstrated using the following examples: (1) a contoured well-data map, cross section, and fence diagram from the Paradox basin, (2) SRG summaries from the San Juan basin, (3) SDS-generated ternary diagrams and downhole plots of petrographic data, (4) C₁-C₇ hydrocarbon and headspace-gas displays from Alaska, and (5) species abundance versus depth plots.

System benefits to the geologist include (1) publication-or report-ready graphic displays, (2) file manipulation to optimize data analysis, and (3) graphically and statistically displayed data from cores, measured sections, and well cuttings that objectively characterize the exploration potential of a stratigraphic sequence.

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