An oilfield data analysis system is based on a four-tier software model
which includes a "shared earth model" and a federation of "directory
services". The first tier is a universal graphical user interface (GUI)
which can operate on any inexpensive computer as well as on an expensive
workstation, i.e. a "web browser". The second tier is an application
server which is coupled to users via the worldwide web and serves
geoscientific software applications. The third tier is a geometric
modelling system where geometric data is stored and processed. The third
tier embodies the "shared earth model". The fourth tier is a database
management system where non-geometric data is stored. According to the
invention, there can be (and preferably are) multiple instances of each
tier. Communication of data between different tiers is accomplished via
XML data exchange. According to a presently preferred embodiment, the
geoscience applications served by the second tier are written as JAVA
servlets and applications may communicate with each other without human
direction by registering requests with "directory services". Applications
interested in certain types of data "listen" for "data events" being
registered with directory services. The cost of utilizing an application
can be based on a time-rental billing operation which is carried out
automatically via directory services.
