$2.1 million software gift will enhance MSU geosciences research

Contact: Phil Hearn

STARKVILLE, Miss.--A Mississippi State geosciences instructor is receiving cutting-edge computer software and technical support worth more than $2 million to help sharpen student research skills and greatly enhance the study of the state's existing petroleum resources.

Jonathan Harris of the university's geosciences department said Seismic Micro-Technology Inc. of Houston, Texas, is providing Kingdom Suite of Geophysical Data Processing software and technical support valued at $2.1 million.

"The Kingdom Suite system is the industry's leading Windows-based seismic interpretation software package," said Harris.

He said the software will be used to teach modern geophysical interpretation to the next generation of geoscientists at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Harris also predicted it will enhance the marketable skills of MSU students "in their search for employment in the 21st century energy industry."

He added: "This software will allow cutting-edge processing and research of existing geophysical data to be studied to better locate and manage Mississippi's existing petroleum resources."

Harris said the software is used to analyze data with a variety of tools that include animations, horizon and volume attribute calculators, phase rotation, and trace attributes, among others. Other features include integration of borehole information, gridding and contouring of both seismic and well data.

"With newly added functionality, interpreters now can set up a project with all major map projections and datum that a domestic or international working area requires," said Harris.

NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For more information, contact Mr. Harris at (662) 325-3915 or jgh7@geosci.msstate.edu.