Session Abstract

Converging on A Single Datum

Dan Boudreault, P.Eng. Veritas GeoServices, member of CAPP Geomatics Committee, Calgary, Alberta.

The Canadian Oil & Gas Industry Move from NAD27 to NAD83

The Canadian Oil & Gas industry is at the threshold of an adjustment to a single mapping datum. One of the positive impacts of this undertaking is a heightened awareness about coordinate issues.

It's no longer possible to ignore the multi-datum world. We already work with a mix of data that's referenced to the North American Datum 1983 (NAD83) and the North American Datum 1927 (NAD27.) Due to regulatory requirements and modern survey practices, "surface" (drilling, facilities) work is conducted in NAD83 coordinates. Subsurface data for the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin continues to be interpreted in NAD27 coordinates. Air-photos, satellite images and Lidar data (acquired in NAD83 coordinates) are incorporated into NAD27 subsurface maps. Soon it will require more effort to stay in NAD27 than to complete the change to NAD83.

The Oil & Gas community faces the challenge of how to manage the transition from NAD27 to NAD83.

• What are the roles of the provincial, territorial, federal governments and regulatory boards in the move to NAD83?
• How is CAPP supporting the industry move?
• What can Oil & Gas producers, Data and Software Vendors do to ensure that the transformation is carried out correctly and in a coordinated fashion?

This paper will address these issues.

Speaker Biography

Daniel Boudreault

Dan received a BSc.Eng.Geomatics (1991) from the University of New Brunswick. He started working in the energy sector in 1991, obtained his Professional Engineer certification in 1994, and joined Veritas in 1996. He currently holds the position of Supervisor, Data Solutions (Geomatic Services), focussing on geospatial data integrity for domestic and international projects. He is also active in training and consulting for the current datum change from NAD27 to NAD83.

Dan is a member of APEGGA, CSEG, CAPP Geomatics Committee and sits as vice-Chair on the board of directors for the Alberta Geomatics group (AGG) and the core committee for GeoAlberta.