This page is designed to answer the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about SONRIS. If the FAQs do not answer your question, you may contact the SONRIS Help Desk. For telephone assistance, call 225.342.4556 in the Baton Rouge area, or toll-free 888.792.0432 outside this area. Alternatively, you may contact us here with your question or problem.

SONRIS General FAQs

What does it cost to use SONRIS?

You will not be invoiced by DNR for any use of SONRIS. Your only cost, if any, is for your connection to the Internet via your Internet Service Provider.

Who do I contact for SONRIS support?

DNR operates the SONRIS Help Desk at 225.342.4556 in the Baton Rouge area or toll-free 888.792.0432 outside this area. A call to either of these numbers or email sent to this group will be logged and your request will be forwarded to the appropriate party to provide you with assistance or answer your question.

SONRIS Components FAQs

SONRIS Components: SONRIS Lite FAQs

What is SONRIS Lite, and how does it differ from SONRIS Database Classic?

SONRIS provides the ability to retrieve oil and gas, coastal, energy and other Louisiana natural resources information from DNR's enterprise-wide Oracle database, via two access methods:

SONRIS "Lite" is an HTML-based capability designed for low-bandwidth users. It also offers the advantage of being able to "copy/paste" data into Excel spreadsheets, and does not require Java.

SONRIS "Classic" is a more robust form-based query capability, but does require the free Java browser add-on.

SONRIS Components: SONRIS Classic FAQs

I can't I see all of a form or screen...what do I do?

Increase the resolution of your desktop display to a higher resolution. Most SONRIS Classic forms are optimized for 1024x768 resolution.

Why does my browser window disappear briefly?

When you are in SONRIS Classic, and you click on a button (e.g., WELL ENGINEERING INFORMATION), the browser window may temporarily disappear while SONRIS is displaying the actual form that you requested. This is normal.

What is a form?

SONRIS terminology for a screen of information...when a form is originally displayed for you, it is blank, and you need to tell SONRIS via a query what information you want to appear on the form.

What is a list of values and how do I do it?

Certain fields on a form have available what is called a "list of values". By pressing the F9 key, SONRIS will pop open a small window containing all of the valid values from which you can choose.

SONRIS Components: Document Access FAQs

What can I do in Document Access?

The SONRIS Document Access component features access to scanned images of documents such as Conservation Well Files and Mineral Resources Lease Files. It also features access to electronic documents in formats such as Excel and Word. Included in this capability is access to the Conservation Field Orders and Administrative Orders Indexes. In addition, these electronic documents will open in their native application, e.g., Excel, if you have that application on your PC; the document can also be downloaded/saved onto your PC.

I want to access the SONRIS Document Access Component. Do I need any browser add-on to use this part of SONRIS?

Yes. The Adobe Reader is required for Content Management and for viewing the dynamically generated reports which are produced in Acrobat (.pdf) format. Additionally, IrfanView is an alternate viewer for Content Management that allows the display of larger format documents, including certain well logs, that may not display properly within Adobe Reader. Read more about using Adobe Reader and IrfanView for Document Access on the SONRIS Downloads page.

SONRIS Components: GIS Access FAQs

What base maps are used in the SONRIS GIS Map Access component? The three base maps are a parish boundary map, a 1:500,000 and a 1:100,000 USGS digital raster graphics (DRG) map so well locations can be referenced to natural and cultural features and boundaries.

Well locations are shown as derrick symbols and can be identified using the "id" tool and selecting a well. This action displays a table of the data related to the specific well. The user can also display the well status/product symbols used by the Office of conservation by activating the "lightening bolt" tool and selecting a well. Other important features are "zoom" and "pan." Users can view instructions for utilizing the LIWR including printing.

I need help using the SONRIS GIS. Can you tell me what tools are available, and a description of the legends used?

Visit the GIS Access Tutorial which includes descriptions of tools, legends, the interface and screen, a description of layers, and much more. Just click on "Tutorial" under GIS Access on the vertical menu bar on the SONRIS Main Page.

SONRIS Reports on Demand (ROD)FAQs

What are SONRIS ROD reports?

Reports on Demand (ROD) are criteria specified, dynamic reports that can be exported to several different formats, including Excel.

How current is the data on an ROD?

Since the ROD touches the database directly, the information returned is as current as the time the report is run.

Can I reformat the report columns?

Yes, the report can be customized once it has been exported into Excel and saved as a copy.

I need help using ROD, is there a tutorial available?

Yes, click for the ROD tutorial.

What web browsers support using the Discoverer Reports on Demand (ROD)?

Reports on Demand are only supported by Internet Explorer 7, 8 or 9. Chrome or Firefox are not supported.

Should my pop up blockers be disabled?

Yes, you must have popup blockers turned off to use the site.

What will happen the first time I run any ROD report? Why do I get a blank screen?

The first time you run an ROD your browser window will pop-up a blank screen and say “DONE” at the lower left hand corner.  Depending on your bandwidth speed the screen could stay blank up to 1 minute.  This will only happen the first time you launch an ROD.  Every other ROD will come up quickly.

Does Discoverer ROD require Java?

Yes. Java JRE version 1.6 or higher is required to run the ROD reports.

What about activeX?

If your Internet security is set to the highest level it may not allow the activeX controls to run, causing no screen to come up.  Active X controls must be allowed to run to launch an ROD.

SONRIS Reports FAQs

What are reports, and which ones are currently available?

Reports represent a "printed" version of information from SONRIS. These reports are typically used by a large number of SONRIS users, and are thus "printed" or prepared and posted on the SONRIS web site on a periodic basis, in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. Currently, the Office of Conservation Scout Reports are posted on the SONRIS web site weekly. Other reports such as the Conservation Proration Schedules are also available.

SONRIS Data Reporting FAQs

Is electronic reporting of data now a mandatory requirement?

Yes, OGP, R5D, R2, R3, R6, and R5T must be submitted Online. The tutorial for Online Filing can be found here.

Does DNR provide electronic versions of these forms?

Contact the Office of Conservation at 225.342.5540 for more information.