Enrico Campos Pedroso

Analysis of RADARSAT-1 data for offshore monitoring activities in the Cantarell Complex, Gulf of Mexico, using the unsupervised semivariogram textural classifier (USTC)

Understanding the temporal dynamics and spatial distribution of natural seepage phenomena in the Gulf of Mexico is fundamental for the definition of proper environmental management practices in this often cloud-covered region. RADARSAT-1 images analyzed in this paper were acquired using the wide 1 and wide 2 (W1, W2) and ScanSAR narrow 1 (SCN1) beam modes. Image processing was carried out using the unsupervised semivariogram textural classifier (USTC). In combination with RADARSAT-1 satellite images, and essential ancillary data, this technology enhances the detection of seepage slicks on the ocean surface based on radar texture. USTC classification of RADARSAT-1 data provided systematic evidence from space of the presence of prolific, present-day petroleum generation and migration in the Cantarell Complex of oil fields.

Operational applications of RADARSAT-1 for the monitoring of natural oil seeps in the South Gulf of Mexico

The origin of the oil activity in Campeche Sound is closely related to the activity of the natural oil seeps. At the moment, the operational areas with greater production in the Cantarell field from PEMEX Exploration and Production (PEP), coincide with the activity of the most important seep in the south of the Gulf of Mexico. With the intention of establishing the origin and magnitude of the hydrocarbon contributions of the natural seeps in this area, the Northeast Marine Region (RMNE) of PEP, with the support of the Subdivision of Technology and Development (STDP) of PEP and the Corporative Unit of Geographic Information Systems (SICORI) developed during the 2000-2001 with RADARSAT International and RADARSAT Resource Center in Brazil a progressive application of the RADARSAT-1 satellite to evaluate oil seep potentiality in detection and measurement, being allowed to establish a proven method for the monitoring of oil seep behavior. The methodology is applied in a continuous way from 2002 and includes a regional criterion for the selection of images, basic and advanced digital analysis utilizing the Unsupervised Semivariogram Textural Classifier (USTC), and meteo-oceanographic calibration. The methodology also correlates geologic and environmental information. The results shown activity of the Cantarell seep in 79.5% of the 83 images analyzed during 2000-2002. Area coverage of Cantarell seep from 66 images ranks between 0.04 to 207.4 km2, with an average area of 32 km2.RADARSAT-1 analysis identified that the main hydrocarbon contribution, in area as well as frequency for South Gulf of Mexico, comes from the natural oil seeps, particularly from the Cantarell field. This project also demonstrates the viability of the integration of disciplinary groups within PEMEX for the development of new technologies with multiple applications that allow the optimization of resources and enhance the availability of environmental tools.

RADARSAT-1 images in support of petroleum exploration: the offshore Amazon River mouth example

RADARSAT-1 images were used as an attempt to identify seepage slicks in the Foz do Amazonas Basin, one of the most promising oil and gas exploration frontiers in the Brazilian equatorial margin, a region that is cloud-covered for most of the year. An unsupervised semivariogram textural classifier algorithm was used to enhance areas of smooth texture and low radar backscatter, indicative of these seepage slick targets. Complementary information related to sea surface temperature, cloud top temperature, wind velocity, and modelling for the tidal regime (all obtained as close as possible to the RADARSAT-1 acquisition) was used to support image interpretation and to exclude false targets also characterized by low radar backscatter (e.g., local upwelling, heavy rain cells). Twenty-one target areas were interpreted as seepage slicks. Considering the influence of the oceanographic and environmental conditions on drifting of the interpreted seepage slicks, they were spatially compared with available geological information, including seismically derived structural and isopach maps, and bathymetric data. Most of the interpreted seepage slicks occur in an extensional structural domain of growth faults. These structures are related to Cenozoic gravity tectonics that result from tensional stress in the continental slope due to the huge load of fluvial sediments transported by the Amazon River. Together with previously discovered subcommercial shallow water oil accumulations, the remote detection of seepage slicks is additional evidence of present-day generation and migration phenomena. The results indicate that the use of a remote, swift method to identify offshore natural oil seepage related to active petroleum systems may constitute a well-accepted approach to support exploration in frontier areas like the Foz do Amazonas Basin.

Cantarell natural seep modelling using SAR derived ocean surface wind and meteo- oceanographic buoy data.

The Cantarell Seep is the most significant natural seep discovered in the Southern Gulf of Mexico. The trajectory of the oil seep, driven by sea surface winds and ocean currents, can sometimes impinge on the environmentally sensitive Mexican coast. For this reason it is necessary for the implementation of slick impact models to determine and track oil slick behaviour on sea surface as an aid to contingency planning. The focus of this study was to improve the confidence of the Cantarell natural seep impact model by utilizing SAR derived ocean surface wind field data and in situ meteo-oceanographic buoy data. The advantage of the SAR wind is that the data provides high resolution, wide-area coverage, up to 500 km by 500 km in the case of RADARSAT-1. The accuracies are +/- 2 m/s for wind speed and +/- 25deg for wind direction. The buoy is stationary and only provides wind data for that location but the instruments are more sensitive and provide higher accuracies than the SAR. The buoy information is recorded in one-minute intervals, transmitted to shore by microwave communication and the accuracies are +/- 0.7 m/s for wind speed and +/-3deg for wind direction. Our approach was to combine the two data sources to provide better coverage and accuracy for oil slick modeling.

Satellite Environmental Monitoring of Oil Spills in the South Gulf Of Mexico

Abstract PEMEX Exploration and Production have been using a progressive application of RADARSAT-1 satellite in Campeche Bay for offshore oil slick detection with ancillary and meteo oceanographic calibration since 2000. A multiyear monitoring program has been in progress combining successfully its results with oil spill modelers and GIS for complementary support in environmental issues. Introduction An oil seep report from a fisherman was the origin of Cantarell, the biggest Mexican oil field located on the Campeche Bay, in the Southern Gulf of Mexico. Nowadays, PEMEX Exploration and Production (PEP) share their operational marine area with a high activity of natural oil seeps (Figure 1), as well as with important vessel traffic related to fisheries or industrial transport. Nevertheless, any oil record on the sea or on the beaches of this area is immediately related to PEP activities or facilities generating claims and social pressures with economic and public image impacts. After the Ixtoc-1 oil spill on 1979, PEMEX focused its attention to enhance its environmental resources. In order to improve monitoring and evaluation capabilities, since 1999 PEMEX has begun to use Geographical Information Systems and remote sensing for oil slick detection and analysis. This work describes our four year experience with the RADARSAT-1 satellite applications, and how it has developed and integrated as a complementary tool for an operational monitoring multiyear program.

Operational applications of RADARSAT-2 for the environmental monitoring of oil slicks in the Southern Gulf of Mexico

PEMEX has used RADARSAT-1 operationally for the environmental monitoring of oil slicks in the Southern Gulf of Mexico for almost a decade (2000-2008). In this time RADARSAT-1data has become fully integrated into PEMEXs environmental response strategy. To move towards the future; PEMEX decided to transition to RADARSAT-2 when the data became commercially available in April 2008. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the steps made in the move from RADARSAT-1 to RADARSAT-2 and how the advanced capabilities of RADARSAT-2 have improved operational processes.

A multi-sensor approach and ranking analysis procedure for oil seeps detection in marine environments

Accidents involving oil spills from petroleum exploration, production, and transportation facilities have stained the history of major companies. The implementation of monitoring systems as an aid to contingency planning is crucial to guarantee proper environmental performance in offshore activities. On the other hand, natural oil and gas seeps have historically provided invaluable information to oil explorers in frontier areas. The use of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) orbital systems is commonly used for oil slicks detection in the marine environment. Such information can be applied to petroleum exploration (oil seeps detection) and environmental assessment (oil spills monitoring). In combination with SAR satellite images (RADARSAT-1 and ENVISAT ASAR), and essential meteorological and oceanographic data, the proposed technology enhances the detection of oil slicks in the ocean surface based on radar texture.

Use of genetic algorithm to identify the source point of seepage slick clusters interpreted from Radarsat-1 images in the Gulf of Mexico

A large multitemporal set of RADARSAT-1 ScanSAR Narrow 1 images obtained in offshore regions of the Gulf of Mexico enabled the identification of a seepage slick cluster, which is considered to share a common geologic origin. The existence of seepage slick clusters is a positive indicator of present-day hydrocarbon generation and migration. Therefore, their correct location reduces the risk of acquiring piston cores with oil at the sea floor for further geochemical studies. A cluster is interpreted as a group of seepage slick polygons which share the same source point in geographic space. The source point can be tentatively defined as the intersection of overlaying polygons or as the intersection of the forward prolongation of closely spaced and converging polygons. The present study aims to identify quantitatively the origin of a seepage slick cluster at the sea surface using a genetic algorithms (GA). The model employ the Euclidian or the Mahalanobis distance function in order to determine the minimum distance among points within one seepage slick cluster and a population of points randomly generated. We used points in UTM coordinates system generated within a grid cell (x,y) of fifty meters defined in the seepage slick polygons that constitute a cluster In addition, one hundred points are generated randomly as the initial population. The fitness function provides the 10 best ranked points in UTM coordinates system that represent the candidates source point of the seepage slick cluster. The best source point identified using GA (considering both the Euclidian and Mahalanobis distance functions) coincided with a salt dome and fault seismically identified at the sea floor. The methodology have been tested elsewhere in the Gulf of Mexico, in order to identify with enhanced precision possible source points of seepage slick clusters detected using RADARSAT-1 images

Assessment of environmental sensitivity index of flooding areas in western Amazonia using fuzzy logic in the dual season GRFM JERS-1 SAR image mosaics

This study focuses on improving information about oil spill environmental sensitivity in Western Amazonia, Brazil, using a pair of multiseasonal (1995 low flood to 1996 - high flood) GRFM JERS-1 SAR mosaics. Fuzzy analysis is carried out to extract information about landscape modifications within half hydrological cycle. The oil spill hazard information derived from JERS-1 SAR data is straightforward to interpret and constitutes a representation of the original Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) product conceived by PETROBRAS.

EMANACIÓN NATURAL DE CANTARELL: LABORATORIO NATURAL PARA EXPERIMENTOS DE DERRAMES DE PETRÓLEO

RESUMEN La mayoria de las investigaciones sobre derrames de petroleo se realizan mediante trabajos de laboratorio en diferentes escalas, empleando desde cristaleria hasta tanques para pruebas de i ...