A new course in petroleum data management for the oil and gas industry is to be launched by Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University and Oil and Gas UK’s subsidary Common Data Access.
An agreement between both organisations will see the development of an undergraduate level course to promote the understanding of subsurface exploration and production data, and recognise its importance to upstream oil and gas businesses.
Supported by a broad cross-industry steering group led by CDA chief executive Malcolm Fleming, the course is being developed by experts from the Department of Information Management at RGU’s Aberdeen Business School and is aimed at individuals looking to begin a career in data management for the energy industry or to formalise knowledge gained on the job.
Senior lecturer Dr Laura Muir said: “An understanding of the subsurface environment is essential to get the most value from exploration and production activities and so it is crucial that the industry promotes the professionalisation of data managers who are capable of supporting their colleagues in geoscience and engineering disciplines.”
Professor Peter Reid, head of the Department of Information Management at RGU, added: “We are working with CDA to devise a course which aims to support the industry by providing it with a steady stream of qualified data managers with specific knowledge of the subsurface environment.”
The Petroleum Data Management graduate certificate course is being offered online from September 2016 and focuses on managing subsurface exploration and production data and its role throughout its life cycle from capture to use, re-use and preservation until it becomes obsolete.
The course will also teach students about providing data services to meet the needs of users including an understanding of the application and the value of data quality as well as governance standards, policies and strategies.
CDA director Christine McKay, said: “The professionalisation of Petroleum Data Management is key to attracting and developing high-calibre data managers in the industry.
“An in-depth understanding of both geoscience and data management principles enables data managers to not only support business processes with existing methods but also develop new ways to deliver value to the industry.
“Individuals completing the course will gain an accredited qualification which will provide new entrants a direct route into the profession as well as present a career development opportunity for existing practitioners.”
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