Satellite Data Processing and Interpretation

Theoretical background

- Electromagnetic spectrum and wave propagation

- Impact of the atmosphere on satellite image data and corrections

- Imaging satellites : optical and microwave radar

- From the raw satellite data to the satellite image and digital elevation model : single and multi beam imagery, mono and stereo imagery

- Satellite image processing : amplitude, multiband and true and false color processing

Participants will learn how satellite imagery works, how it is acquired and processed and what satellites provide what data for which purpose. At the end of the day the participants will understand the different types of satellite images and what information different satellite image data can deliver.

Geological concepts

- Deposition and erosion

- Faulting and folding

- Geomorphology : correlation of surface with subsurface llithology and tectonics

- Hydrology : the link of water bodies and flowing water to structure and lithology

- Geological mapping

Participants will learn geological concepts that are useful in the context of satellite data processing and interpretation. The key concepts are geomorphology - the shape of the surface as it is linked to the deposition and erosion of subsurface rock layers and tectonic structure – and hydrology, since water often follows tectonic lineaments and certain rock types when flowing towards lower ground.

Mapping from satellite imagery

- Topographic mapping comprising surface gradient and the Sobel kernel and the geological interpretation of topographic information

- Surface spectral mapping for landuse comprising hydrological features, surface lithology, and structural geology

- Time lapse optical mapping with focus on the detection of unstable surfaces and human intervention

- Surface and nearsurface microwave radar analysis using the partial penetration of microwaves into the ground for structural and sedimentological mapping

Participants will learn the direct interpretation of optical and microwave satellite imagery for the mapping of topography, surface mineral and rock discrimination both from single satellite images as well as from multi-temporal images to detect mainly lateral surface movements.

Satellite data interpretation

- Embedding local prospect oriented satellite data interpretation into regional basin trends

- Satellite geomorphology : the correlation between topography and lithology

- Folds and fold belts

- Faults and fault systems

- Water courses and faults

- Geological mapping

- Geologic outcrop analogs for subsurface geological settings

Participants will learn how to start with a regional basin-scale interpretation of lineaments and lithological trends to embed the local prospect scale interpretation into the regional structural and lithological framework. Structural concepts such as fold and fault mapping will be shown as well as the link between the shape of water courses and faults on optical and microwave radar data.

Integration with other geosciences

- Seismic survey planning : access for crew, sources and receivers, data quality estimation and application to static correction and noise prediction

- Infrastructure planning : guides for pipeline and facility planning, geological and climatic risk analysis

- Hydrocarbon mapping : onshore and offshore seepage mapping

- Ground subsidence from microwave radar : radar interferometry for surface subsidence and its link to subsurface production

- Prospect-scale geological joint interpretation of satellite imagery and shallow seismic data

- Gravity from microwave radar data : applications to regional exploration using optical satellite imagery for lithology mapping, microwave radar imagery for surface texture and structural mapping and microwave direved gravity data to estimate the depth of basement.

Participants will learn on the final day how to combine all geological concepts, satellite data processing and interpretation and other non-satellite geoscientific data efficiently to provide key answers to exploration, development and production questions.

Participants will learn how corporate strategy affects the management of upstream assets. The three tests of a strategy, as well as the internal and external factors impacting asset value will be discussed. The impact of fiscal regimes on asset strategy will be explored. The day ends with participants finding the sedimentary basins using geophysical techniques in a simulated challenge to find the best exploration blocks.