We’ve noticed there are three overlooked and very valuable data layers in our WhiteStar Culture product of which you may not be aware. We have incorporated all of the Texas Railroad Commission Pipeline data for Texas and we update this four times annually. This data layer includes attributes such as system name, operator, type, and diameter. This is the standard pipeline layer for the state of Texas. Even if you use no other data layer, the cost of repurchasing this standard layer of information from the state in raw format (hundreds of shape files) would exceed $4,000 annually and would be difficult to use because it gets delivered in one shape file per county.

Secondly, we have processed all of the massive 1:24,000 scale contour lines for the state of Texas so that they can easily be extracted. This very important data layer helps you to establish missing well elevations and to plan drilling activities more precisely according to topography. This data is so voluminous in its raw format that it is almost impossible to use.

Finally we have digitized and compiled oil and gas field outlines for many states. These are all part of the value you receive when you obtain a subscription to the WhiteStar Culture product.

Here at WhiteStar we are committed to ongoing updates of our data to put out the best possible digital cartographic products.   The Texas Land Survey updates for Q1 2010 have been completed.  Following is a summary of layer updates and additions:

Blocks - 10
Surveys - 471
Abstract - 535

Overlapping Blocks - 17
Overlapping Surveys - 75
Overlapping Abstract - 86

Hemphill and Jefferson Counties realized the most changes.  In addition, portions of  Brazos, Denton, Duval, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Robertson, Shelby, Terry, Wheeler and Wilbarger Counties show updates.  Keep an eye on the blog for additional data update announcements.

Thanks,
Mike

In his September 23rd blog post, Jeff Smith made you all aware of the Oil & Gas Field layer addition to Unlimited Basemap Access (UBA) for 4th Quarter 2009.  In addition to the Oil & Gas fields we’ve added gas transmission and HVL pipelines for the State of Oklahoma as well as pipelines for the Gulf of Mexico.  These data sets have been seamless integrated into the already available Texas pipelines.  Good stuff!

Here at WhiteStar we are staying true to our vision of providing our clients the data sets needed to make their jobs easier and hopefully more fun.  Stay tuned to the blog for additional news on other product improvements and enhancements in the coming weeks.

The Railroad Commission of Texas offers a “snapshot” of its map database(s) for $9,129 per one time purchase. http://www.rrc.state.tx.us/programs/datasets/digmapstate.php There is no update or maintenance program, that’s what you pay each time.  Therefore if you were to update your data quarterly, you’d be out $36,516.  Not to mention, you would receive an ftp folder full of thousands of unmerged files in a variety of different formats.  So not to blow our own horn too much here, okay we will, but you could get a desktop subscription to Unlimited Grid Access and Unlimited Well Access for HALF that and not only would you get all the wells in Texas 4 times per year, you would get well header and where available other data such as tops for the entire USA plus the offshore.   This amounts to nearly 4 million well records.  How’s that for value??