Managing E&P data as a national asset

E&P data are a valuable national asset. Any nation fortunate enough to have substantial hydrocarbon assets needs to plan how to gain maximum benefit from these data, at the same time as giving the creator of the data a reasonable period for exclusive exploitation. This requires the development and management of a data life cycle for E&P data that will deliver clear benefits to both industry and the nation. The system that is developed needs to be clear, simple and flexible. It also needs to define who is responsible for the costs and have clear mechanisms for driving cost down.