Import Borehole (well) Stratigraphy from Excel

It is possible to import large volumes of borehole (previously well) lithostratigraphy and chronostratigraphy tops from Excel files. During import, users can add or update borehole stratigraphic tops in the project. This is a useful way of bringing in borehole stratigraphic data' from an external source.

The import well data option in version 2.5+ has been updated to become a borehole and associated site information import. This will allow users to upload stratigraphic tops to a borehole. Like with earlier versions of the software, the bulk import of site & borehole stratigraphic tops data requires the file being imported to conform to a fixed structure. An example file is attached here: Borehole_StratTop_ImportV3

For lithostratigraphy the valid Litho unit entries are: Formation, Group and Member, which define a hierarchy. It is valid to have 3 tops at the same depths from different levels in the unit hierarchy. Any other string in this column, including a blank entry will be assigned to the Unknown lithostratigraphic unit.

For chronostratigraphy, the valid Chrono unit entries are: Era (=Erathem), Period (=System) , Epoch (=Series), Age (=Stage), which define a hierarchy. It is valid to have 4 tops at the same depths from different levels in the unit hierarchy. Any other string in this column, including a blank entry will be assigned to the Unknown chronostratigraphic unit. 

Usage:  Project --> Import site/borehole data...

How to use in practice

Unlike the Excel import for sample data, the import for borehole formation tops requires that the file being imported conform to a fixed structure on the first sheet of the Excel file (example file above). The property headers in red text are required to be present, and each row must include a borehole name in Name.Borehole column for the file to be valid.

To import the Excel file, go to Project --> Import site/borehole data... and select the desired file from the file picker. Once you have chosen your file you will see the following dialogue:

In this dialogue you can select various options. The top section allows you to change the file selected. The next "File overview" section gives you a summary of the number of boreholes in the file, and how these relate to the boreholes currently in your project.

The next section details any merge of data that would take place upon import. This is where values you are importing would overwrite values for the same properties present in your project.

The next section allows you to define the units, depth measure type, datum used for the depths listed in the Excel file, the target stratigraphy properties (primary or alternative) and a text box where you can edit the source of the stratigraphy. Most often these will be the tops given in feet or meters, as a measured depth, relative to the Drillers Reference height.

• So long as your boreholes have datum information for their heights/depths, and the relation between measured and true vertical depth (either in terms of a deviation survey, or a set of tie points) has been established, the software will be able to automatically handle conversions for you, and allow you to plot litho- and chronostrat tops on depth plots relative to any depth measure and datum.

For the setting of the primary or alternative stratigraphy, we recommend using the Primary stratigraphy properties for 'live' company or project tops, and the Alternative stratigraphy for any 'official' tops you might want to retain in the project.

• Note: Corresponding sample-level litho and chronostratigraphic properties (in the .Geol group) will be automatically populated from the imported top information if all appropriate datums are present for samples/site/borehole in question.
  • Sample depth: MD datum.Sample
  • TVD depth: TVD datum.Sample
  • Site: Abs datum.Site
  • Borehole: DR height.Borehole

In version 3.0 you can only import top information for boreholes that are already present in.

Be aware that on selecting to Import, there may be some delay, as there may be a significant number of calculations to be made to assign sample-level stratigraphy.