September 1st, 1990 LAS 1.2 A FLOPPY DISK STANDARD FOR LOG DATA BY Canadian Well Logging Society Floppy Disk Committee Suite 229, 640 - 5 Avenue, S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2P 3G4 ABSTRACT The Canadian Well Logging Society's Floppy Disk Committee has designed a standard format for log data on floppy disks. It is known as the LAS format (Log ASCII Standard). LAS consists of files written in ASCII containing minimal header information and is intended for optical curves only. Details of the LAS format are described in this paper. The purpose of the LAS format is to supply basic digital log data to users of personal computers in a format that is quick and easy to use. INTRODUCTION Log analysts who use personal computers have, in the past, been entering log data into their machines mainly through a hand digitizing procedure because most personal computers are unable to handle data from magnetic tapes. The industry was beginning to address this inefficiency by making log data available on floppy disks in a variety of formats. It was at this point that the Canadian Well Logging Society set up the Floppy Disk Committee to design a standard for log data on floppy disks that would meet the needs of personal computer users. Various standards for digital well log data already exist. The LIS format (Log Information Standard) is one of the more popular standards. A more complete standard is presently being prepared by the American Petroleum Institute which is known as the DLIS format (Digital Log Interchange Standard). Both of these standards are very useful but because of their completeness, and resulting complexity, they do not address the needs of most personal computer users. Users of personal computers have serious space limitations and are normally only interested in the optically presented curves. They also want to get this data into their machines quickly and easily. The LAS format addresses these needs and can be compared to a "Reader's Digest" version of the LIS or DLIS formats. If more detailed log information is required, then the LIS or DLIS format should be used. The LAS format is intended to complement the LIS or DLIS formats as each has its own specific purpose. GENERAL DESCRIPTION The LAS format was designed to be easily understood by the user and at the same time contain enough flags to assist the programmer. The LAS format must always be written in ASCII. If it is written using a compression routine, in binary, or in any other form, an executable program must exist on the floppy disk that will convert the file back to LAS format. The LAS format consists of files. For example, a repeat section would make up one file and the main pass another. Each of the file names end in ".LAS" so that they can be easily recognized. An individual floppy disk must not contain partial files that continue onto a second floppy disk. Large files that do not fit on one floppy must be split into two or more files. Each file consists of numerous sections. These sections are not order specific except that the last section must always be the data section. The first section is usually the "VERSION" section containing the version number of the LAS format and identifies whether the data is in wrap mode. The "WELL INFORMATION" section contains information on the well name, location, and the start and stop depths of the data in this file. The "CURVE INFORMATION" section contains the curve mnemonics, units used, and the definitions of these mnemonics, in the order that they appear in the data section. The "PARAMETER" section contains informat on parameters or constants (such as mud resistivities) and is optional. The "OTHER" section is also optional and contains any other information or comments. The last section is always the "ASCII LOG DATA" section. Depth values should appear in the first column and each column of data must be separated by a space. More detailed LAS format specifications can be found in the Appendix. REFORMAT AND CERTIFY PROGRAMS To assist users of LAS formatted data, a program was written to modify LAS files into forms that may be more compatible to the user's needs. The program is called REFORMAT and can perform the following tasks: 1) Extract a specific depth interval 2) Extract specific curves 3) Reverse depth direction 4) Change sampling interval 5) Convert wrap mode to unwrap mode 6) Scan for non-standard characters which may be causing difficulties for some programs. The CERTIFY program was designed to verify that files meet the LAS standard. If the LAS standards are not met, it will identify the errors. In case of disagreement between this program and the printed LAS standard document, the document will be deemed to be correct. The CERTIFY program also includes documentation on the LAS standard. The REFORMAT and CERTIFY programs were written by Robin Winsor of Gulf Canada Resources Ltd. in ANSI standard "C" and compiled with a Microsoft C 5.1 compiler. These programs are not part of the LAS standard. The author of these programs does not reserve any rights and does not warrant the program for any specific purpose. An LAS information package is available for $10.00 through the C.W.L.S. The package includes an executable form of the REFORMAT and CERTIFY programs, source code for REFORMAT, and two test LAS files on a 3.5 inch 720K DOS compatible floppy disk. The address is as follows: Canadian Well Logging Society 229, 640 - 5 Avenue, S.W. Calgary, Alberta CANADA T2P 3G4 CONCLUSIONS The latest release of the LAS format is version 1.2 which was released in August of 1989. The CWLS Floppy Disk Committee will monitor the LAS format to address problems and make modifications to the standard as required. Feedback concerning the user's likes or dislikes would be greatly appreciated and should be sent to the CWLS to the attention of the Floppy Disk Committee. It is hoped that by creating the LAS format, more widespread use will be made of digital log data. APPENDIX LAS FORMAT SPECIFICATIONS FOR VERSION 1.2 PART 1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION The LAS Format is designed to store log data on floppy disks. This standard is intended to simplify the exchange of digital log data between users. The general specifications of this format are as follows: 1) The floppy disk size, type, or density is not specified because conversion between them is straightforward. 2) It is the intent of this standard to store optically presented log curves although other curves may also be stored. Raw count rates, wave form data etc. are more efficiently stored on magnetic tape using LIS or DLIS format. 3) Floppy disks in the LAS format must be MS/DOS or PC/DOS compatible 4) The file will be written in ASCII. If the file is written using a compression method, in binary, or in any other form, an executable program must exist on the floppy to convert it back to LAS format. 5) An individual floppy disk must not contain partial files that continue onto a second floppy. Large files that do not fit onto one floppy must be split into two or more separate files. This may be achieved by splitting the curves or segmenting the depths. 6) All files in LAS format must end in ".LAS" so that they may be easily recognized. 7) The LAS format is a minimum standard. It is expected that most users and suppliers will exceed this minimum standard. PART 2 MAJOR COMPONENTS OF AN LAS FILE Each LAS file contains numerous sections and each section begins with a tilde (~) mark. The last section in an LAS file must always be the log data section. The sections that make up an LAS file are as follows: ~V - contains version and wrap mode information ~W - contains well identification ~C - contains curve information ~P - contains parameters or constants ~O - contains other information such as comments ~A - contains ASCII log data These sections are described in more detail in part four of this appendix. PART 3 FLAGS Flags are used to assist computers in identifying specific lines in a file. The following flags are used in the LAS format: a) "~" (tilde): The ASCII equivalent of this flag is decimal 126 or hexadecimal 7E. This flag when used will be the first non-space and non-quotation character on a line. It is used to mark the beginning of a section in a file. The first letter directly after the tilde identifies the section. (See part two.) All upper case letters in the space following a tilde mark are reserved for use by the committee. The remainder of the line will be treated as comments. b) "#" (pound): The ASCII equivalent of this flag is decimal 35 or hexadecimal 23. This flag when used will be the first non-space and non-quotation character on a line. The Pound sign is used to indicate that the line is a comment line. Comment lines can appear anywhere above the data section. c) "." and ":" : In sections other than the data section, dots and colons are used to delimit information within the line. They are usually aligned for ease of reading. Information to the right of the colon is a detailed definition of the mnemonic that is located to the left of the colon. The dot is used to separate two mnemonics. Spaces may occur to the right or left of a dot or colon. PART 4 DETAILS The actual format for each of the sections discussed in this part of the paper is best understood by looking at the examples in the boxed areas. The exact spacing is not critical because computer programs will use the dots, colons and spaces to decipher each line. I) ~V (Version Information) -This section is mandatory and usually appears at the very beginning of the file. -It identifies which version of the LAS format is being used and whether wrap mode is used. -This section must contain the following lines: "VERS. 1.2: CWLS LOG ASCII STANDARD - VERSION 1.2" Refers to which version of LAS was used. "WRAP. YES: Multiple lines per depth step" OR "WRAP. NO: One line per depth step" Refers to whether a wrap around mode was used in the data section. If no wrap mode is used the line will have a maximum length of 256 characters (including the carriage return and line feed). If wrap mode is used the depth value will be on its own line and all lines of data will be no longer than 80 characters (including carriage return and line feed). -Additional lines in the version section are optional. The following is an example of a Version Information Section. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~Version Information Section VERS. 1.2: CWLS log ASCII Standard -VERSION 1.2 WRAP. NO: One line per depth step ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- (II) ~W (Well Information) -This section is mandatory. -It identifies the well, its location and indicates the start and stop depths of the file. -This section must contain the following lines with the mnemonics as indicated: "STRT.M nnn.nn:" Refers to the first depth in the file. The "nnn.nn" refers to the depth value. The number of decimals used is not restricted. The ".M" refers to meters and can be replaced when other units are used. The start depth can be either greater or less than the stop depth. "STOP.M nnn.nn:" Refers to the last depth in the file. The "nnn.nn" refers to the depth value. The number of decimals used is not restricted. The ".M" refers to meters and can be replaced when other units are used. "STEP.M nnn.nn:" Refers to the depth increment used. A minus sign must precede the step value if the start depth is greater than the stop depth (ie, from TD to casing has a minus step value). A step value of zero indicates a variable step. "NULL. -nnn.nn:" Refers to null values. Two common ones in use are -9999 and -999.25. "COMP. COMPANY : " Refers to company name. "WELL. WELL:" Refers to the well name. "FLD. FIELD:" Refers to the field name. "LOC. LOCATION:" Refers to the well location. "PROV. PROVINCE:" Refers to the province. For areas outside Canada this line may be replaced by: "CNTY. COUNTY:" "STAT. STATE:" "CTRY. COUNTRY:" "SRVC. SERVICE COMPANY:" Refers to logging company. "DATE. DATE:" Refers to date logged. "UWI . UNIQUE WELL ID:" Refers to unique well identifier. (See References.) For areas outside of Canada this may be replaced by: "API . API NUMBER:" -Additional lines in the well information section are optional. There is no limit set on the number of additional lines. The following is an example of a Well Information Section. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~Well Information Section #MNEM.UNIT Data Type Information #--------- ------------- ------------------------------ STRT.M 635.0000: STOP.M 400.0000: STEP.M -0.1250: NULL. -999.25: COMP. COMPANY: ANY OIL COMPANY INC. WELL. WELL: ANY ET AL A9-16-49-20 FLD . FIELD: EDAM LOC . LOCATION: A9-16-49-20W3M PROV. PROVINCE: SASKATCHEWAN SRVC. SERVICE COMPANY: ANY LOGGING COMPANY INC. DATE. LOG DATE: 13-DEC-86 UWI . UNIQUE WELL ID: 100091604920W300 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- (III) ~C (Curve Information) -This section is mandatory. -It describes the curve and its units in the order they appear in the data section of the file. -The mnemonics used are not restricted but must be defined on the line in which they appear. -API codes are optional. (See References.) -The curves described in this section must be present in the data set. -The first curve described should normally be depth. The following is an example of a Curve Information Section with API codes. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~Curve Information Section #MNEM.UNIT API CODE Curve Description #--------- ------------- ------------------------------- DEPTH.M : 1 DEPTH RHOB .K/M3 7 350 02 00: 2 BULK DENSITY NPHI .VOL/VOL 7 890 00 00: 3 NEUTRON POROSITY - SANDSTONE MSFL .OHMM 7 220 01 00: 4 Rxo RESISTIVITY SFLA .OHMM 7 222 01 00: 5 SHALLOW RESISTIVITY ILM .OHMM 7 120 44 00: 6 MEDIUM RESISTIVITY ILD .OHMM 7 120 46 00: 7 DEEP RESISTIVITY SP .MV 7 010 01 00: 8 SPONTANEOUS POTENTIAL GR .GAPI 7 310 01 00: 9 GAMMA RAY CALI .MM 7 280 01 00: 10 CALIPER DRHO .K/M3 7 356 01 00: 11 DENSITY CORRECTION ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- (IV) ~P (Parameter Information) -This section is optional. It defines the values of various parameters relating to this well. -The mnemonics used are not restricted but must be defined on the line on which they appear. -There is no limit on the number of lines that can be used. The following is an example of a Parameter Information Section. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~Parameter Information Section #MNEM.UNIT Value Description #--------- ------------- ------------------------------ BHT. DEGC 24.0000: Bottom Hole Temperature BS .MM 222.0000: Bit Size FD .K/M3 999.9999: Fluid Density MDEN.K/M3 2650.0000: Logging Matrix Density MATR. 1.0000: Neutron Matrix (1=Sand) FNUM. 1.0000: Tortuosity Constant Archie's (a) FEXP. 2.0000: Cementation Exponent Archie's (m) DFD .K/M3 1200.0000: Mud Weight DFV .S 50.0000: Mud Viscosity DFL .C3 8.0000: Mud Fluid Loss DFPH. 10.0000: Mud pH RMFS.OHMM 2.8200: Mud Filtrate Resistivity EKB .M 566.9700: Elevation Kelly Bushing EGL .M 563.6799: Elevation Ground Level ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- (V) ~O (Other Information) -This section is optional. Its intended use is as a remarks or comments section. (VI) ~A (ASCII LOG DATA) -The data section will always be the last section in a file. -Depths should always appear in the first column -Each column of data must be separated by at least one space. -A line of less than 256 characters (including a carriage return and line feed) will normally not be wrapped. Wrap mode will be used if the data is longer than 256 characters. -In wrap mode, depth will be on its own line. -In wrap mode a line of data will be no longer than 80 characters. This includes a carriage return and line feed. -If wrap mode is used, the decimal points must be aligned for ease of reading. -Exponents are not permitted. The curve section can be used to overcome this limitation by changing the units. References UWI codes : "Formation Water Resistivities of Canada", CWLS, 1987. API codes : "Recommended Standard Format for Recording Digital Well Log Data on Magnetic Tape", API - Bul. D-9, 3rd edition, 1981. EXAMPLE #1 - ILLUSTRATING THE LOG ASCII STANDARD IN UNWRAPPED MODE ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~VERSION INFORMATION VERS. 1.2: CWLS LOG ASCII STANDARD -VERSION 1.2 WRAP. NO: ONE LINE PER DEPTH STEP ~WELL INFORMATION BLOCK #MNEM.UNIT DATA TYPE INFORMATION #--------- ------------- ------------------------------ STRT.M 1670.000000: STOP.M 1660.000000: STEP.M -0.1250: NULL. -999.2500: COMP. COMPANY: ANY OIL COMPANY LTD. WELL. WELL: ANY ET AL OIL WELL #12 FLD . FIELD: EDAM LOC . LOCATION: A9-16-49-20W3M PROV. PROVINCE: SASKATCHEWAN SRVC. SERVICE COMPANY: ANY LOGGING COMPANY LTD. DATE. LOG DATE: 25-DEC-1988 UWI . UNIQUE WELL ID: 100091604920W300 ~CURVE INFORMATION #MNEM.UNIT API CODE CURVE DESCRIPTION #--------- ------------- ------------------------------ DEPT.M : 1 DEPTH DT .US/M : 2 SONIC TRANSIT TIME RHOB.K/M3 : 3 BULK DENSITY NPHI.V/V : 4 NEUTRON POROSITY SFLU.OHMM : 5 RXO RESISTIVITY SFLA.OHMM : 6 SHALLOW RESISTIVITY ILM .OHMM : 7 MEDIUM RESISTIVITY ILD .OHMM : 8 DEEP RESISTIVITY ~PARAMETER INFORMATION #MNEM.UNIT VALUE DESCRIPTION #--------- ------------- ------------------------------ BHT .DEGC 35.5000: BOTTOM HOLE TEMPERATURE BS .MM 200.0000: BIT SIZE FD .K/M3 1000.0000: FLUID DENSITY MATR. 0.0000: NEUTRON MATRIX(0=LIME,1=SAND,2=DOLO) MDEN. 2710.0000: LOGGING MATRIX DENSITY RMF .OHMM 0.2160: MUD FILTRATE RESISTIVITY DFD .K/M3 1525.0000: DRILL FLUID DENSITY ~Other Note: The logging tools became stuck at 625 meters causing the data between 625 meters and 615 meters to be invalid. ~A DEPTH DT RHOB NPHI SFLU SFLA ILM ILD 1670.000 123.450 2550.000 0.450 123.450 123.450 110.200 105.600 1669.875 123.450 2550.000 0.450 123.450 123.450 110.200 105.600 1669.750 123.450 2550.000 0.450 123.450 123.450 110.200 105.600 EXAMPLE #2 - ILLUSTRATING THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF THE LOG ASCII STANDARD IN UNWRAPPED MODE. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~V VERS. 1.2: CWLS log ASCII Standard -VERSION 1.2 WRAP. NO: One line per depth step ~W STRT.M 635.0000: STOP.M 400.0000: STEP.M -0.1250: NULL. -999.25: COMP. COMPANY: ANY OIL COMPANY INC. WELL. WELL: ANY ET AL A9-16-49-20 FLD . FIELD: EDAM LOC . LOCATION: A9-16-49-20W3M PROV. PROVINCE: SASKATCHEWAN SRVC. SERVICE COMPANY: ANY LOGGING COMPANY INC. DATE. LOG DATE: 13-DEC-86 UWI . UNIQUE WELL ID: 100091604920W300 ~C DEPT.M : DEPTH RHOB.K/M3 : BULK DENSITY NPHI.VOL/VOL : NEUTRON POROSITY - SANDSTONE MSFL.OHMM : Rxo RESISTIVITY SFLA.OHMM : SHALLOW RESISTIVITY ILM .OHMM : MEDIUM RESISTIVITY ILD .OHMM : DEEP RESISTIVITY SP .MV : SPONTANEOUS POTENTIAL ~A 635.0000 2256.0000 0.4033 22.0781 22.0781 20.3438 3.6660 123.4 634.8750 2256.0000 0.4033 22.0781 22.0781 20.3438 3.6660 123.4 EXAMPLE #3 - ILLUSTRATING THE WRAPPED VERSION OF THE LOG ASCII STANDARD ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~Version Information VERS. 1.20: CWLS log ASCII Standard -VERSION 1.20 WRAP. YES: Multiple lines per depth step ~Well Information #MNEM.UNIT Data Type Information #--------- ------------- ------------------------------ STRT.M 910.000: STOP.M 901.000: STEP.M -0.1250: NULL. -999.2500: Null value COMP. COMPANY: ANY OIL COMPANY INC. WELL. WELL: ANY ET AL XX-XX-XX-XX FLD . FIELD: WILDCAT LOC . LOCATION: XX-XX-XX-XXW3M PROV. PROVINCE: SASKATCHEWAN SRVC. SERVICE COMPANY: ANY LOGGING COMPANY INC. SON . SERVICE ORDER #: 142085 DATE. LOG DATE: 13-DEC-86 UWI . UNIQUE WELL ID: ~Curve Information #MNEM.UNIT API CODE Curve Description #--------- ------------- ------------------------------ DEPT.M : Depth DT .US/M : 1 Sonic Travel Time RHOB.K/M : 2 Density-Bulk Density NPHI.V/V : 3 Porosity -Neutron RX0 .OHMM : 4 Resistivity -Rxo RESS.OHMM : 5 Resistivity -Shallow RESM.OHMM : 6 Resistivity -Medium RESD.OHMM : 7 Resistivity -Deep SP .MV : 8 Spon. Potential GR .GAPI : 9 Gamma Ray CALI.MM : 10 Caliper DRHO.K/M3 : 11 Delta-Rho EATT.DBM : 12 EPT Attenuation TPL .NS/M : 13 TP -EPT PEF . : 14 PhotoElectric Factor FFI .V/V : 15 Porosity -NML FFI DCAL.MM : 16 Caliper-Differential RHGF.K/M3 : 17 Density-Formation RHGA.K/M3 : 18 Density-Apparent SPBL.MV : 19 Baselined SP GRC .GAPI : 20 Gamma Ray BHC PHIA.V/V : 21 Porosity -Apparent PHID.V/V : 22 Porosity -Density PHIE.V/V : 23 Porosity -Effective PHIN.V/V : 24 Porosity -Neut BHC PHIC.V/V : 25 Porosity -Total HCC R0 .OHMM : 26 Ro RWA .OHMM : 27 Rfa SW . : 28 Sw -Effective MSI . : 29 Sh Idx -Min BVW . : 30 BVW FGAS. : 31 Flag -Gas Index PIDX. : 32 Prod Idx FBH . : 33 Flag -Bad Hole FHCC. : 34 Flag -HC Correction LSWB. : 35 Flag -Limit SWB ~A Log data section 910.000000 -999.2500 2692.7075 0.3140 19.4086 19.4086 13.1709 12.2681 -1.5010 96.5306 204.7177 30.5822 -999.2500 -999.2500 3.2515 -999.2500 4.7177 3025.0264 3025.0264 -1.5010 93.1378 0.1641 0.0101 0.1641 0.3140 0.1641 11.1397 0.3304 0.9529 0.0000 0.1564 0.0000 11.1397 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 909.875000 -999.2500 2712.6460 0.2886 23.3987 23.3987 13.6129 12.4744 -1.4720 90.2803 203.1093 18.7566 -999.2500 -999.2500 3.7058 -999.2500 3.1093 3004.6050 3004.6050 -1.4720 86.9078 0.1456 -0.0015 0.1456 0.2886 0.1456 14.1428 0.2646 1.0000 0.0000 0.1456 0.0000 14.1428 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 909.750000 -999.2500 2692.8137 0.2730 22.5909 22.5909 13.6821 12.6146 -1.4804 89.8492 201.9287 3.1551 -999.2500 -999.2500 4.3124 -999.2500 1.9287 2976.4451 2976.4451 -1.4804 86.3465 0.1435 0.0101 0.1435 0.2730 0.1435 14.5674 0.2598 1.0000 0.0000 0.1435 0.0000 14.5674 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 909.625000 -999.2500 2644.3650 0.2765 18.4831 18.4831 13.4159 12.6900 -1.5010 93.3999 201.5826 -6.5861 -999.2500 -999.2500 4.3822 -999.2500 1.5826 2955.3528 2955.3528 -1.5010 89.7142 0.1590 0.0384 0.1590 0.2765 0.1590 11.8600 0.3210 0.9667 0.0000 0.1538 0.0000 11.8600 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 909.500000 -999.2500 2586.2822 0.2996 13.9187 13.9187 12.9195 12.7016 -1.4916 98.1214 201.7126 -4.5574 -999.2500 -999.2500 3.5967 -999.2500 1.7126 2953.5940 2953.5940 -1.4916 94.2670 0.1880 0.0723 0.1880 0.2996 0.1880 8.4863 0.4490 0.8174 0.0000 0.1537 0.0000 8.4863 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- UPDATE AUGUST 14, 1991 The latest versions are as follows: LAS -version 1.2 REFORMAT -version 2.0 (correcting errors in resampling and unwrap options) CERTIFY -version 1.0 Please address any problems to: Mr. Case Struyk, Chairman C.W.L.S. Floppy Disk Committee Suite 229, 640 - 5 Avenue, S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2P 3G4 tel: (403) 269 9366