GeoQuest Releases Upgrade to Finder; Finder 8.0 Adds Capabilities for Accessing Data in Multiple Databases and Managing Production Data.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 14, 1997--GeoQuest announced today the release of its latest upgrade to the Finder(a) integrated data management system. Finder 8.0 offers users new capabilities for managing production data and enhancements to the most often used features.

Chief among the new features included in Finder 8.0 is the new production extension, which uses the Petrotechnical Open Software Corporation's (POSC) Epicentre data model. This extension lets users store, manage and access all types of production information, including data for wells, surface facility operations and production streams.

"The production data management tools added to Finder dramatically extend our customers' capability to monitor, manage and utilize information from the production arena," said Frank McKay, vice president of Software Product Commercialization and Support for GeoQuest. "The Finder 8.0 release puts, for the first time, the production and geophysical and geological data of our customers' asset teams within one full-featured data management system."

Finder 8.0 enhancements increase ease-of-use and simplify workflow. To facilitate the simplied workflow, users will have a new icon-driven user interface with fewer widows and menus to navigate.

"We put a lot of effort into redesigning the user interfaces so they are consistent in each module and to ensure they are POSC-compliant," explained McKay.

Other major features of the Finder 8.0 release are:

-- tight connectivity among SmartMap(a); List Assistant, which replaces the make or highlight lists function; and Finder's forms and reports function

-- improvements to SmartMap including icons on the map window, electronic drafting improvements and the ability to produce "wall-ready" base maps

-- data hub improvements such as full integration of GDT projection system, support of multiple geodetic coordinate systems and improved links to CPS-3(a), GeoQuest's surface mapping and modeling software, and OilField Manager(a) engineering software.

GeoWeb and Finder Enterprise to be released in November

GeoWeb(a), the new web-based browsing and delivery application in Finder, will be released in October. GeoWeb lets users find their master data independent of where data are located and the type of computer they are operating.

"Our customers' need for rapid data access regardless of location created a demand for GeoWeb," said McKay. "Finder with GeoWeb gives site and web administrators the resource to fulfill this need."

The new Finder Enterprise(a), which also will be released in November, introduces a convenient way to link numerous databases in various locations, even when network communications are sporadic. Enterprise registers corporate repositories such as regional master databases and archival data stores to give the user a single entry point and view of the data. Enterprise is accessed with Finder's SmartMap GIS or GeoWeb.

GeoQuest

GeoQuest, an operating unit of Schlumberger, is the industry leader in providing integrated software systems, data management solutions, processing and interpretive services to assist petroleum companies in optimizing the value of their oil and gas reservoirs. GeoQuest operates more than 110 data services centers and software offices in 58 countries. -0-

(a) Mark of Schlumberger

CONTACT: GeoQuest, Houston

Susan Ganz, 713/513-2480

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