ARANZ Geo renews geothermal focus, launches Leapfrog Geothermal 3.3
CHRISTCHURCH, NZ – 30 June, 2017 – ARANZ Geo, developer of 3D geological modelling software Leapfrog®, has released Leapfrog Geothermal 3.3, packed with bespoke functionality for the geothermal industry, including time
based visualisation of geophysical data and connectivity to Leapfrog’s model management platform, Leapfrog Central. The
release represents a major development programme for Leapfrog Geothermal, and is the first of a number of specific
updates to come in 2017.
Shaun Maloney, CEO of ARANZ Geo says, “We are committed to bringing the best integrated 3D geological modelling solution
to the geothermal industry, helping ensure that valuable natural resources are managed efficiently and that the
renewable energy they produce is maintained for future generations. In addition to the geothermal industry, ARANZ Geo
contribute technology and solutions to enable earth, environmental and energy projects around the world.”
Leapfrog Geothermal is the only purpose built 3D geothermal modelling solution on the market and integrates with leading
reservoir engineering and geophysical software. The workflow-based solution uses implicit modelling to build surfaces
directly from data while subsurface professionals use their skills and interpretation to guide the process.
Leapfrog Geothermal is rapidly becoming a software of choice for the geothermal industry and has experienced significant
growth globally with licences sold in Australia, Iceland, East Africa, the USA and across Asia Pacific.
Maloney says, “The growth of Leapfrog Geothermal includes working with Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) to add value
in developing countries. We’ve upskilled geothermal professionals across East Africa so they can use Leapfrog software
on the increasing number of renewable energy operations. We’re also working with a relief group in Saharan Africa to
enable groundwater evaluations for siting new wells in refugee and aide camps in the area.”
The on-going development for Geothermal will be fronted by ARANZ Geo’s new global Business Development Manager, Jeremy
O’Brien and Product Manager, Brennan Williams. Appointed in October 2016, O’Brien has previous experience working for
electricity generator and retailer Mighty River Power and global energy service company Halliburton. Williams has been
with ARANZ Geo since 2013 and has held senior software engineering roles in the UK and New Zealand.
O’Brien says, “We’re focused on augmenting Leapfrog Geothermal to meet the needs of our growing user base and the latest
release signals the first stage in a major development programme. ARANZ Geo has an expert Geothermal Energy team working
on Leapfrog Geothermal’s progress, and we have plans to expand over the coming months too.”
Time Based Visualisation of Geophysical Point Data
This new key feature enables micro-seismic data to be visualised over time, assisting with the early identification of
reservoir structures and delineation of these as more data becomes available. Geophysical data has also been reorganised
into a single Geophysical Data folder, with related functionality and the ability to import numerous data types
including magneto-telluric (MT) data. Users can now also import 2D points into the Geophysical Data folder. Product
Manager Brennan Williams says, “With Geothermal you’re often dealing with limited data so it’s important to be able to
readily incorporate geophysics like MT data to inform the reservoir conceptual model and help make critical decisions
such as where to drill early exploration wells.”
Model management
Of particular interest to the well-regulated and often government controlled geothermal industry, Leapfrog Geothermal
3.3 offers connection to the model management platform, Leapfrog Central. This central point of truth stores and manages
the evolution of models, maintains an audit trail, avoids version control issues and offers heightened security. It also
enables teams to collaborate more easily and improves overall decision making.
Wealth of enhancements
The release includes new statistical functionality and improved statistics on Block Models, and new options for a wealth
of tools including numeric compositing as well as structural modelling improvements. Revisions to terminology align
Leapfrog Geothermal even closer to the industry, key tools and folders have been renamed in keeping with recognised
terms.
Industry-specific solution
Leapfrog Geothermal is the only industry-specific 3D geological modelling software. “Rapid data visualisation is just
part of the story,” says O’Brien. “Leapfrog Geothermal enables big efficiency gains and gives subsurface professionals
time to make better decisions. This latest release introduces some important new features including visualisation of
geophysical data and connectivity with model management. We’re pleased to bring this major release to the market and
look forward to future advancements.”
ENDS