Geoscientists Can Now Access Over 18,000 Maps From SEPM Through Elsevier's Geofacets

NEW YORK, September 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Collaboration makes over 225,000 maps available on-demand to help geoscientists quickly and accurately assess the opportunities and risks involved in oil & gas exploration

Elsevier, a world-leading provider of scientific, technical, and medical information products and services, and SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geology) today announced the integration of more than 18,000 geological maps from SEPM into Elsevier's web-based research tool, Geofacets. First announced in April 2012, and now available to Geofacets users, the integration grants geoscientists access to scientific information that can provide key insight into the potential of regions for oil and gas exploration, allowing geoscientists to make predictions and guide exploration with greater confidence. As a result of adding maps from SEPM, Geofacets now houses over 225,000 maps providing essential information to geoscientists.

"Technology continues to revolutionize how geoscientists access and best use the information provided by bodies such as SEPM to solve the complex puzzles presented in oil and gas exploration," said Dr. Howard Harper, Executive Director, SEPM. "Our collaboration with Elsevier and Geofacets has made our publications even more accessible and applicable for geoscientists in the oil and gas industry and beyond. By providing crucial information on sedimentary rocks and strata in a clear and comprehensive manner, this collaboration provides the best possible outcome for everyone. Our own publications have greater exposure; Geofacets has a wider range of information to draw on; and geoscientists themselves can access and share, on-demand, even more of the information they need from a single source."

The SEPM maps have been added from a number of sources; the Journal of Sedimentary Research, the paleontological journal PALAIOS, SEPM Special Publications and SEPM's Core Workshop Notes. The maps and information within these publications cover subject areas such as petrography, diagenesis and sequence stratigraphy, all of which provide vital insights to geoscientists working in exploration. The addition of SEPM into Geofacets' database follows last year's integration of content from The Geological Society of London's world renowned Lyell Collection; and precedes another content collaboration in the making with the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG).

"SEPM houses some of the most respected journals and resources for geological research, each containing vital data for geoscientists, and Geofacets' users have been eagerly awaiting this integration", said Friso Veenstra, Director of Market Development at Elsevier. "Geofacets users need to create a highly accurate picture of the risks and opportunities associated with a particular basin or region and the more information that they have available on-demand and tailored to their unique needs, the more confident they will feel about their recommendations. This integration not only offers highly-valuable maps and content on sedimentology, stratigraphy, paleontology and related specialties, but it takes the total maps available to over 225,000, making Geofacets' global coverage even more comprehensive."

About SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geology)

SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geology) is a global not-for-profit scientific society. Overseen by its network of international members, the Society's mission is dedicated to the dissemination of scientific information on sedimentology, stratigraphy, paleontology, and many related specialties. The Society supports the science and its members in their professional objectives by the publication of two major scientific journals, the Journal of Sedimentary Research (JSR) and PALAIOS, as well as Special Publications.  Additionally SEPM offers research conferences, short courses, and core workshops for continuing education of professionals and students.  SEPM's membership includes professionals in research and applied technology in the petroleum industry, academia, governmental agencies and students from around the world.

SEPM has often partnered with other organizations to achieve its mission and views this affiliation with Geofacets as a major step forward by utilizing the latest technology to bring information from its publications quickly and easily to the fingertips of the user.

About Geofacets

Geofacets is an innovative research tool for geoscientists that offers map-based search and access to over 225,000 geological maps from Elsevier and its content partners. With all maps downloadable and 148,000 georeferenced, it integrates with GIS and other presentation software. Developed to complement the way geoscientists work, Geofacets is used by leading companies around the world for exploration research projects such as regional studies for new ventures, land lease opportunity evaluations, prospect and play ranking, and more.

About Elsevier

Elsevier is a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. The company works in partnership with the global science and health communities to publish more than 2,000 journals, including The Lancet and Cell, and close to 20,000 book titles, including major reference works from Mosby and Saunders. Elsevier's online solutions include ScienceDirect, Scopus, Reaxys, ClinicalKey and Mosby's Nursing Suite, which enhance the productivity of science and health professionals, and the SciVal suite and MEDai's Pinpoint Review, which help research and health care institutions deliver better outcomes more cost-effectively.

A global business headquartered in Amsterdam, Elsevier employs 7,000 people worldwide. The company is part of Reed Elsevier Group PLC, a world-leading publisher and information provider, which is jointly owned by Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV. The ticker symbols are REN (Euronext Amsterdam), REL (London Stock Exchange), RUK and ENL (New York Stock Exchange).

Media contact
Lindsay Diamond
Elsevier
+1-212-633-3128
l.diamond@elsevier.com