Silicon Graphics Inc. (SGI), a leader in high-performance computing, visualisation and management of complex data, has emerged as the first choice in graphics and high-performance computing among the majority of oil and gas companies operating globally, according to a survey of over 80 companies by World Oil, an international trade journal covering oil and gas exploration, drilling and production.
The survey results revealed that 88 per cent of surveyed companies use SGI graphics solutions and 86 per cent of them deploy SGI’s HPC servers and workstations.
“The results of this survey consolidate SGI’s superiority in providing graphics and computing solutions to the oil and gas industry, including the Middle East,” said Gilbert Soufan, territory manager, Middle East, SGI. “Our high-performance computing, storage and visualisation solutions provide invaluable tools for companies that are keen on a higher return on investment through the use of such technology, specifically for petroleum exploration and production.”
The survey further showed that SGI’s InfiniteReality3 graphics subsystem was voted as the most popular graphics card, with 55 per cent of companies surveyed reported to be using it. There was also at least one SGI workstation or server being used in 86 per cent of all companies surveyed. SGI’s high-performance computing equipment is extensively used in seismic imaging. The 3D and 4D processing and volume-visualisation capabilities of SGI Reality Centre environments are used to make oil well planning, drilling and operating a faster and more accurate process. In addition, the introduction of visual area networking in 2002 means that SGI is able to supply this state-of-the-art advanced visualisation technology to larger numbers of people anyplace, anywhere, anytime, and on any device. As a result, engineers and earth scientists can pool their resources together to work in real time on their most complex simulations, visualisations and decision models.
SGI, which has widened its focus on the Middle East, recently introduced its Altix 3000 family of servers and super-clusters.
“To further deepen our commitment to the Middle East, we have introduced the revolutionary Altix range of products in the region, offering companies an opportunity to invest in cutting-edge technology that can dramatically enhance performance and scalability,” said Soufan. “The findings of the Oil World survey highlight the advantages SGI systems offer companies in the oil and gas industry.”
