Abdul Nasir Matori

Deformation Monitoring of Offshore Platform Using the Persistent Scatterer Interferometry Technique

One of the problems that occur during the exploitation of oil and gas is offshore platform deformation. It could occur due to the environments load as well as the extraction of oil and gas itself under the seabed that caused reservoir compaction. Offshore platform deformation may affect the platform structural integrity and cause loss of production, thus it is very important to monitor its occurrences. Offshore platform deformation monitoring has been carried out using the satellite-based Global Positioning System (GPS) technique until recently. Even though the technique has proven its worth for the job, it has however some limitations, the most prominent is it could only monitor selected portion of the offshore platform. Thus, this study presents an attempt of detecting and monitoring the deformation phenomenon of an offshore platform using the Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) technique. This technique would overcome some of the limitations of the previous (GPS) deformation monitoring technique. A total of 11 high resolution TerraSAR-X images (i.e., 3 m in StripMap mode) were acquired from Aug, 2012 to Apr, 2013 for this purpose, while one of the offshore platforms in South China Sea is being used as monitored platform. Preliminary results showed that detail and sensitive deformations could be detected by this technique. In addition, analysis results in the form of mean deformation velocity map and displacement time series would allow us to further understand the behaviour of offshore platform deformation.

Application of Geographic Information System (GIS) and Analytic Network Process (ANP) for Sustainable Tourism Planning in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

This paper discusses an approach based on an integrated use of GIS and ANP for sustainable tourism planning of Cameron Highlands, Malaysia. ANP was utilized to evaluate the relative priorities for the sustainable tourism development of the highland based on chosen criteria and indicators (elements). Pair wise comparison technique was used in order to evaluate possible alternatives from different perspectives. Having derived the weights from the pairwise comparison method, unweighted supermatrix, weighted supermatrix and the limit supermatrix were then computed. The limit supermatrix was normalized to derive the priorities; the result was then transferred into GIS framework. Elements evaluated and ranked are represented by criterion maps. The criterion maps were evaluated by reclassifying the data layers, to represent different needs for the sustainable tourism development of the highland. Spatial models reflecting the views of experts involved were aggregated using the weighted sum method of GIS. Subsequently sustainable tourism development model was generated, which will ensure that future generations benefit from the natural endowments of Cameron Highlands.

A Study of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Photogrammetry for Environment Mapping: Preliminary Observation

This paper presents the preliminary work is a part of a research focusing on close range photogrammetry for landslide monitoring.The main objective of this paper is to present the Close Range Photogrammetry (CRP) technique, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) will provide a platform to monitor the surface area This method was applied using the capabilities and power of Gatewing, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for data capturing with respect to UAV tracking conducted in UTP, Tronoh, Perak, on 15th March 2012 at 150m height. The Gatewing is designed for rapid terrain mapping with fully automated image processing. The result proves that data processing were conducted by Srecthout Software. Flight planning was carried out on site, where the areas to be observed are situated inside the UTP campus. The paper focus on final production of an orthomosaic. In conclusion, it is demonstrated that Gatewing, UAV is the best, fast and powerful mapping vehicle for close range photogrammetry application in future works. It shows highly excellent performance compared to other UAVs already established in the market today. Keywords: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV); Close Range Photogrammetry (CRP); Gatewing; orthomosaic; terrain.

Analytic network process (ANP)-based spatial decision support system (SDSS) for sustainable tourism planning in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

Sustainable approach to tourism development is rarely addressed among authorities and participants. This research presents an approach based on an integrated use of analytic network process (ANP) and geographic information system (GIS) for sustainable tourism planning in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia. ANP was utilized to evaluate the relative priorities for the sustainable tourism development of the highlands based on chosen criteria. ANP results were then transferred into GIS environment and attached to their respective criterion maps. Subsequently, GIS-based sustainable tourism map was generated, which defines the various types of tourism activities that are compatible with the highlands according to the sensitivity of the highland’s environment. The final output was validated using Cameron Highlands Local Plan.

Development Spectral Library of Vegetation Stress for Hydrocarbon Seepage

Spectral Library is data archive of spectral signatures of various natural and man-made materials. In oil and gas industry, spectral library might not be heard often, but these tools can pose a great help for future oil and gas exploration. A developing spectral library for hydrocarbon is basically a new advancement in this field, and this project may implement the spectral library on global hydrocarbon seeps in the future. In this paper, the procedure in the developing spectral library from vegetation stress was demonstrated. In order to obtain these spectral signatures of hydrocarbon, the usage of hyperspectral remote sensing analysis and spectroradiometer is required. But for the early stage of development, spectrophotometer with the range up to 740 ηm was used to extract the spectral signature of the plants in term of green percentage. Nine samples of palm oil trees represent the stressed vegetation was planted with 10% and 40% porosity of crude oil and control samples having three palm oil trees for each of those. The vegetation has been left in an open environment with enough sunlight and watered daily. The significance result of changes in green percentage in the spectral signature of the trees with different porosity level was compared to the control samples. It shows that the existence of crude oil influences the health of the vegetation which has been notified through the spectral signature of the plant. This paper signifies a first step towards the development of spectral signature of hydrocarbon for oil and gas exploration.

Assessing UAV Landslide Mapping Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for Landslide Mapping Activity

The purpose of this research is to improve the landslide mapping using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for the area of slope displacement. It further presents the UAV namely multi-motor that being used to capture images at the research area located in Parit, Perak. The objective of this research paper is to develop a three dimensional of landslide area produced from the UAV images. For the whole process of image processing, thirty six control points are established using global positioning system (GPS) staic mehtod using Agisoft Photoscan. The results show that the digital elevation model (DEM), aspect Model, slope model, and digital orthophoto can be obtained using the procedure and method used in the study. The information is obtained through accurate assessment results and used to create a 3D model which is then used to monitor technique applications. The restitution stereo model is also by three dimensional rotations or transformation in 3D surface. From here, the landslide can be detected by calculation of three difference epoch data achieved from Digital Elevation Model (DEM) generation. Prior to that, this paper focuses on the monitoring of that area based on DEM area and volume generated from 3D surface analysis. To conclude this study shows that UAV can be used for producing digital map.

Effect of Soil Depth on the Quantification of Soil Moisture Content Value Estimated from NOAA Satellite Images

Soil moisture (MC) is considered as the most significant boundary conditions controlling most of the hydrological cycle’s processes especially over humid areas. However, MC is very critical parameter to measure because of its variability in both space and time. The fluctuation of MC along the soil depth in turn, makes it so difficult to assess from optical satellite techniques. The study aims to produce a rectified satellite’s surface temperature (Ts) in order to enhance the spatial estimation of MC. The study also aims to produce MC estimates from three variable depths of the soil using optical images from NOAA 17 in order to examine the potential of satellite techniques in assessing the MC along the soil depths. The universal triangle (UT) algorithm was used for MC assessment based on Ts, vegetation Indices (VI) and field measurements of MC; which were conducted at variable depths. The study area was divided into three classes according to the nature of surface cover. The resultant MC extracted from the UT method with rectified Ts, produced accuracies of MC ranging from 0.65 to 0.89 when validated with in-situ measured MC at depths 5cm and 10 cm respectively.

Flood Disaster Forecasting: A GIS-Based Group Analytic Hierarchy Process Approach

Geographic Information System (GIS) was integrated with Group Analytic Hierarchy Process (GAHP) to facilitate the simulation of flood likely areas based on a total number of five set of criteria/factors believed to be triggering flood generation in the study area. Two categories of experts namely hydrologists and geologists were considered. Saaty’s 1-9 scale of preference was employed in rating each factor’s influence in flood generation and the ratings from the experts were aggregated using a Geometric Mean method. Having done with the aggregation, priory weights of the factors were calculated; weights were further normalized through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The result was further integrated into GIS system for spatial simulation of the likely flood areas. The result forecasted 39.1% of the total area to be very highly susceptible to flooding. Validation was carried out by superimposing the known flood extent map from radar satellite data over the flood forecasting model developed herein.