Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/55888
All the northeastern states within the Marcellus Shale Play have free, public-accessible Web sites providing some level of interactive search and map- ping functions for Marcellus well permits and drilled wells. Commercial Web GIS services also are providing services for a fee to companies and individuals who desire more expanded data-search options as well as options for downloading search results. Figure 3 illustrates a commercially hosted Web-GIS application (www.marcellusmonitor.com) enabling queries of drilled wells within a user-specified distance of an address, with the search results charted by energy operator and municipality. This is one example of Rich Internet Application (RIA) Web-mapping sites that sup- port animated controls, charting and graphing, and multimedia functions. Typically, it's necessary to install Microsoft Silverlight or Adobe Flash plug-ins into the Web browser to use RIA applications. Distributed GIS Deployment The advent of virtualized server technology and avail- ability of commercial Internet cloud-hosting services is enabling the implementation of shared enterprise GIS databases and Web services across remote offices. By deploying GIS database and Web services in the Amazon Elastic Cloud Computing (EC2) or other com- parable commercial hosting services, companies can securely share GIS editing and mapping tasks among remote offices, maximizing the utilization of a skilled workforce (see Figure 4). A GIS administrator can remotely monitor the shared services, perform routine database and system back- ups, and apply software upgrades to the virtual servers. Using mobile platforms such as smartphones and tab- let PCs, combined with cellular broadband connections, field crews can connect to secure Web-map services to view or update GIS data while in the field. In the event that cellular broadband is unavailable in more-remote locations, mobile GIS can be deployed on ruggedized tablets, and a GIS can be taken into the field using check-out/check-in database replication. Collectively, such cloud-based distributed architecture and mobility is placing GIS technology in the hands of individuals needing access to the latest data as well as improving data-maintenance workflows related to data collection. In the fast-paced environment of the Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Play, speedy access to the latest geographic information is critical. The development of unconventional shale-gas resources such as the Marcellus Shale requires opera- tors and regulators to make informed spatial decisions on a daily basis that will have lasting impacts on U.S. energy independence as well as environmental qual- ity. GIS technology plays an important role throughout Figure 4. A cloud-based GIS architecture allows for distributed GIS functions. Figure 5. A map shows the thickness of the Marcellus Shale below several states. the well-drilling process, from evaluating regulatory compliance when locating a well to keeping the public informed of drilling activities in their neighborhoods, helping ensure that energy resources are developed responsibly. Bruce E. Stauffer is vice president of geographIT; e-mail: bstauffer@geographit.com. Roger A. Bannister is a hydrogeologist and GIS analyst with Groundwater & Environmental Services Inc.; e-mail: RBannister@gesonline.com. FEBRUAR Y 2O12 / WWW . GEOPLA CE . COM 17