MANAGEMENT

Discovering oil in a drill site is only the first step. Significant effort is required to properly manage the drill site and especially to comply with the regulations about safe operation and environmental impact of the surrounding area.

Remote sensing is often the only way to comply with these requirements.

End of life manangement of drill sites and refineries can be monitored through remote sensing.

Encroahment monitoring is critical to identifiying possible mechanical impacts to a pipeline. Satellite imagery identifying encrouchment can allow intervention before the pipeline is damaged.

Encroachment Monitoring

As in leak detection, the spectral signature of oil is easy for multispectral sensors to detect. As a result, remote sensing is helpful for spill detection and monitoring. During the Deep Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico, remote sensing was used extensively to track the surface spill.

Spill Monitoring

Satellite based remote sensing multispectral data is well sutied to detect the spectral signature of oil on the surface. This data can be used to vector ground personnel to the site for additional action.

Leak Detection

Remote sensing provides alot of support to oil and gas pipelines. Often pipelines run through rugged and remote terrian that precludes physical observation. Rapid refresh rate and multispectral sensors allow petroleum companies to monitor their efforts in a timely manner. Remotes sensing is also conducted terestrially through monitors along the pipelein itself. Problems reported in this manner can be verified through airborne or satellite data. Mechanical damage is the #1 cause of pipelein damage (EPA statistics). Identifying this hazard early can prevent spills.

Pipeline Monitoring

Satellite imagery detecting machinery around the pipeline , encroaching on safety zone established around it. EPA

Satellite imagery detecting small

and large leaks along a

petroleum

pipeline. EPA

Satellite imagery used to track the Deep Horizon oil spill. NASA

Remote sensing platforms are extremely useful for environmental monitoring around drilling sites and pipelines. Many governmental agencies impose regulations that must be complied with and constatnly monitored.

Envrionmental Monitoring

Remotely sensed imagery is extremely helpful in identifying upstream activity and its environmental impact. Also, remotely sensed data has archived historical data that is not available on most terrestial collection databases.

Upstream Monitoring

Change detection in upstream activity monitoring. DHI

Vegetation monitoring through remotely sensed data has a long history and it still used alot to support environmental impact studies concerning drilling and piping operations.

Vegetation Monitoring

NDVI vicinity an oil refinery in Nigeria. SIC