Aerial Recon in Bakken, ND

REMOTE SENSINGIN THE BAKKEN REGION

OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION IN THE BAKKEN

POSITIVES• Positive economic

conditions • Surplus of jobs in oil & gas

industry & related services• Worker salaries are high• Stable tax revenues for

state & local governments

POSSIBLE NEGATIVES• Disposition and effects of

brine from fracturing and drilling

• Changes in wildlife populations and habitat

• Impacts to sensitive natural resources, such as streams

• Social & infrastructure issues

TOPICS TODAY1. Inventory & Change Detection (mapping land

cover and natural resource impacts.)

2. Detection of Leaks.

3. Environmental Impact Evaluation of Spills.

1 Inventory and Change Detection

What: Document and quantify impacts of development on natural resources.

How: Aerial photography. Imagery classified by experts & software based analysis.

Application: Provide natural resource data for Bakken region. Avoid conflicts between development and natural resource stewardship. Detect natural resource issues related to oil & gas.

Users: Information for oil & gas industry, agency staff, officials, public.

1. Inventory and Change Detection• Significantly large area with extensive activity• Tool to avoid putting natural resources stewardship in conflict

with oil and gas exploration and production.

Oil and gas wells (red) in the Bakken region (USFWS Brian Tangen)

• Leica camera photographs full light spectrum (infrared & visible).• Resolution scaled to mapping application (capable ~3” pixel size).

1. Inventory and Change Detection

Resolution

3” Resolution

1 m (39.37”) NAIP 8” Resolution IR


Resolution

• Detect variation in plant life due to soil & hydrological conditions• Detect different vegetation types

• Infrared (left) & real-color (right).

• Fast-growing plants appear red, dormant vegetation is tan.


Multiple Bands

• Map bare soil, rooftops, roads, other impervious surfaces. • Map water, wildlife corridors, identify rare species,

environmental damage, invasive plants (below).

Weedy shrub (yellow) is moving into forest from powerline cut.


Timed Imagery

10

‘Just-In-Time’ Imagery

Coordinated Imagery


Oblique imagery captured during aerial imaging deployment

• Create up-to-date land cover map of region.• Understand potential issues: unstable slopes & soils, wetlands,

stream drainages, species habitat, wildlife concentration areas.

Map vegetation community types, tree canopy, impervious cover & other features of interest.


Land Cover Mapping


Change Detection

1939 2009

Change Detection


1. Inventory and Change Detection• Prioritize areas for protection • Quantify projected impacts • ID opportunities for restoration

Opportunity Analysis

• Fine-scale classification and mapping of land and water• Establish baseline data


Land Cover Classification

• Establish baseline data • Identify sensitive areas to avoid• Plan remediation

-Utilize spectral data to automate mapping

-Utilize IR data for added interpretation

-Perform change analysis and sequence mapping over time

-Use band radioing and indexing for added interpretation

GreennessWetnessBrightnessTexturePrinc Comp

Land Cover Classification


Healthy Wetland

Degraded Wetland

Habitat Evaluation


• Identify sensitive areas to avoid

Degraded Open WaterSedge Meadow

Remnant

Degraded Wetland

Cattail MarshReed Canary Grass


Habitat Evaluation

Open Water – Diverse Aquatic

Vegetation

Sedge Meadow

Cord Grass Stands

Cord Grass Stands

Sedge/Cord Grass

Fen, Upwelling

Healthy Wetland:


Habitat Evaluation

2. DETECTING PIPELINE & EVAP. BASIN LEAKS

• Detecting fluid spills along pipelines & around basins.• In one study, AES used aerial reconnaissance to detect

water leaks along a 31-mile pipeline.

2 DETECTING PIPELINE & EVAP. BASIN LEAKS

• Location linked to GIS using GPS

• Features confirmed in the field.

• Water leaks had characteristic signature evident in vegetation and soil.

Vegetative Response

Vegetative Response

• Detecting fluid spills along pipelines & around basins.

• In one study, AES used aerial reconnaissance to detect water leaks along a 31-mile pipeline.

2. DETECTING PIPELINE & EVAP. BASIN LEAKS

Exposed Pipe and Seams

3” Resolution IR 3” Spectral Enhancement

Open Water

Open Water

Water Leak

Vegetative Response

2 DETECTING PIPELINE & EVAP. BASIN LEAKS

3. ECOLOGICAL IMPACT EVALUATION• Vegetation & soil changes can probably be detected• Accuracy will vary depending on size, location & timing of discharge• Period of testing is needed

Wetlands and oil and gas wells in the Prairie Pothole region (USFWS Brian Tangen).

2006 CHARBONNEAU SPILL – 8/23/03


• Aerial reconnaissance can detect unauthorized brine dumps shortly after they are created by detecting vegetation die-back and changes in soil color.

Aerial Recon in Bakken, ND

Technology

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