2.1 Example Implementation

WITSML defines an interoperability specification about how the data is represented and a standard way of transporting the data electronically. It does not define the storage mechanism.

• Representation. WITSML data objects being exchanged between systems are represented as XML documents (NOTE: except for real-time streaming data, which isn’t actually a WITSML data object so is not usually sent as an XML document). The data object schemas that comprise the WITSML standard define the formats of these data objects.
• Transport. Because XML documents are simply text files, they can be transported by various means, such as email or other file transfer method. A WITSML data object could even be in the form of a printed or faxed document.

This document specifies a standardized way of electronically transporting WITSML data objects between systems using WebSocket-based protocols. However, companies can send and receive WITSML data streams without using the Energistics Transfer Protocol.

• Storage. While WITSML data objects transported between systems are represented as XML documents, the WITSML specification does not dictate how the WITSML data objects are to be stored within those systems, and the receiver application cannot assume any particular storage mechanism. The data objects might be stored as text files or in a database system.