How to Use Version History and Restore Previous Designs

PetroBench automatically versions every change you make to a simulation - no manual saving or file copies required. Each time you adjust a parameter (like rod taper, well data, or preferences), the platform snapshots the current state and creates a new version.

What each version captures

• Who made the change
• When it happened
• What fields were modified
• The complete simulation state at that moment

Versioning is always on and applies to every simulation in your workspace, so you can experiment freely and always return to a previous design.

Viewing version history

1. Open any simulation.
2. Click the clock icon in the top toolbar.
3. A panel slides in from the right showing a chronological list of versions.

Each version entry shows:

• The team member who made the change
• A timestamp (relative or absolute)
• A brief auto-generated summary of what changed

For long-running simulations, you can filter the list by date range or team member to quickly find the versions you care about.

Adding version notes

Automatic summaries describe what changed; notes capture why.

To add a note:

1. In the history panel, find the version you want.
2. Click the pencil icon next to that entry.
3. Type your note and click Save.

Notes are visible to your entire team and are ideal for:

• Documenting design decisions
• Flagging versions for review
• Explaining why specific parameters were chosen

Examples of good notes:

• "Client requested max rod stress under 25 ksi for this well."
• "Reverted rod taper after field data showed higher loads than expected."
• "Baseline design for Q2 review - do not modify."

Comparing two versions side by side

To see exactly what changed between two points in time:

1. Open the version history panel.
2. Select any two versions.
3. PetroBench opens a split view comparison.

The comparison highlights:

• Parameter changes: Modified fields with old (left) vs new (right) values
• Added/removed sections: For example, rod string segments that were added or deleted
• Numerical differences: Deltas for values like stress, load, and stroke length

This is especially useful for design reviews and understanding the impact of updates.

Tips for effective comparisons

• Compare against a baseline: Pin a known-good version and compare new iterations to it.
• Check around data imports: After importing new well data, compare before/after versions to see how design parameters shifted.
• Review before sharing: Compare your current version with the last shared version to confirm exactly what changed.

Restoring a previous version

When you know you want to roll back to an earlier design:

1. Open the history panel.
2. Select the version you want.
3. Click Restore this version.

PetroBench does not overwrite your current state. Instead, it:

• Creates a new version that is a copy of the selected one
• Preserves the full history, including all intermediate versions

Before restoring, a confirmation dialog shows:

• Which version you’re restoring (timestamp and author)
• A summary of changes relative to your current state
• An option to add a note explaining why you’re restoring

After restore, your simulation reflects the earlier state, and a new history entry appears: "Restored to version from [date]."

Restore vs. compare

• Restore when the earlier version is the design you want going forward.
• Compare when you’re still investigating what changed.
• Restore then modify when the earlier version is close but needs small adjustments.

Team collaboration and audit trails

Version history is a collaboration and compliance tool as much as a safety net.

Design reviews

• See the full evolution of a simulation.
• Walk through decision points and associated notes.
• Understand how the current design was reached.

Handoffs

• When simulations move between engineers or teams, the history provides built-in context.
• New owners can review changes and notes without a separate briefing.

Compliance and documentation

• Every change is timestamped and attributed.
• You can export the version history as part of a well’s documentation package.

Accountability without friction

• Each change is tied to a specific team member.
• This makes it easy to find and contact the right person about a design decision, without adding extra process overhead.

Summary

PetroBench’s automatic version history lets you focus on engineering instead of file management:

• View history: Click the clock icon to browse all versions.
• Add notes: Capture the reasoning behind important changes.
• Compare: Select two versions to see precise differences.
• Restore: Roll back to any previous version without losing your current history.

No manual saves. No duplicate files. No guessing what changed between versions.