IOGP releases version 2.0 of geophysical position data exchange formats

(London) IOGP has published version 2.0 of the P1/11 and P2/11 formats. The formats were originally released in 2012, replacing the former UKOOA P1/90 and P2/94 formats for the exchange of geophysical position data, and first revised in 2015 to version 1.1. The latest revision incorporates many years of innovation and technical development in the seismic industry since the last release, and realigns the formats with the contemporary approach to geodetic definition, without changing the fundamental format structure.

Since the early 1990s, marine seismic position data collected in the field has been recorded using the ‘P’ formats P1/90 and P2/94. These formats were originally developed by UKOOA and then widely adopted by the industry for use worldwide. In 2006, ownership of the formats was transferred to IOGP. In 2009, following industry consultation, IOGP began a revision of the formats.  The aim was to address obsolescence due to advances in acquisition and processing technologies, and the increasing number of non-standard variations and “add-ons” being used. A commitment was also made to support the formats going forward, keeping them current and aligned with technical advances and international standards.

Version 1.0 of the new formats was released in 2012. A “Common Header” was adopted across all seismic ‘P’ formats containing metadata applicable to each format and, in particular, a rigorous definition of Coordinate Reference Systems (CRS). This supported the fundamental objective of ensuring the geodetic integrity of position data. Original functionality was retained, but enhanced in line with advances in seismic data acquisition techniques. The format structure is also extensible in a controlled manner to accommodate future innovations and requirements, and allows for storage and exchange of position data from other non-seismic surveys.

The UKOOA formats were originally introduced as a standard positioning record for marine seismic data acquisition. However, P1/11 can be applied equally to seismic acquisition in any environment, in any dimension (2D, 3D, 4D), and configuration (WAZ, MAZ, etc). This is the only standard exchange format for geophysical position data that can be used on any survey in any situation.

In addition to replacing the former UKOOA formats, it was agreed with the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) that the outdated SEG-P1 format is now deprecated, replaced by P1/11.

The latest version (v2.0) of the formats incorporates lessons learned from the last ten years of implementation and realigns geospatial referencing of coordinates to contemporary ISO rationale. Version 2.0 adds several refinements to the format as requested by the industry, for example, file versioning, enhanced preplot capability, current prediction, increased support for position objects and receiver types, USBL operations, and shot and receiver edits. The User Guide, produced for the original version, is being revised to cover P1/11 v2.0 and is expected to be published during Q4 2024.

All IOGP ‘P Formats’ Reports are freely available via the IOGP bookstore at http://www.iogp.org/bookstore/geomatics.

For more information about the work of the IOGP Geomatics Committee please visit: https://www.iogp.org/workstreams/engineering/geomatics.