Geographic information systems as a basic tool for subsoil use monitoring

The paper discusses the use of geographic information systems to solve the problems of subsoil use monitoring, which has been carried out since the emergence of the licensing system in the Russian Federation. A brief description of the history of licensing subsoil areas on the Russian continental shelf is given. Examples of GIS projects "State of the continental shelf of the Russian Federation licensing" and "Geological and geophysical study of the continental shelf of the Russian Federation" are described. The main functions of these GIS projects and the data they contain are considered. These GIS projects are the part of the constantly updated "Oil and Gas Potential of Russian Shelves" geographic information system developed in VNIIOkeangeologia and included in the State Register of Databases since 1997. The authors focus on monitoring the licenses status and related analysis of subsoil use under the license agreements. By the example of two case studies (the Severo-Obsky and Nyakhartinsky license areas), the successful fulfillment of license obligations by a subsoil user company is demonstrated. It is also noted that a variety of tools aimed at creating custom applications are available in geographic information systems. The paper describes the multi-purpose "Profile Density" software for ArcView, developed in the sector of information support for subsoil use (FSBI VNIIOkeangeologiya). The software is aimed at calculating degree of exploration maturity (density of 2D CDP seismic survey lines) in the license areas. Geographic information systems, being one of the main tools for natural resource management, contribute to a rational approach to subsoil use.