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
1. Inventory and Change Detection
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.
1 Inventory and Change Detection
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.
1. Inventory and Change Detection
Timed Imagery
10
‘Just-In-Time’ Imagery
Coordinated Imagery
1 Inventory and Change Detection
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.
1. Inventory and Change Detection
Land Cover Mapping
1. Inventory and Change Detection
Change Detection
1939 2009
Change Detection
1. Inventory and 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
1. Inventory and Change Detection
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
1. Inventory and Change Detection
Healthy Wetland
Degraded Wetland
Habitat Evaluation
1. Inventory and Change Detection
• Identify sensitive areas to avoid
Degraded Open WaterSedge Meadow
Remnant
Degraded Wetland
Cattail MarshReed Canary Grass
1. Inventory and Change Detection
Habitat Evaluation
Open Water – Diverse Aquatic
Vegetation
Sedge Meadow
Cord Grass Stands
Cord Grass Stands
Sedge/Cord Grass
Fen, Upwelling
Healthy Wetland:
1. Inventory and Change Detection
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
2006 CHARBONNEAU SPILL – 8/31/09
• Aerial reconnaissance can detect unauthorized brine dumps shortly after they are created by detecting vegetation die-back and changes in soil color.
2006 CHARBONNEAU SPILL – 9/7/11
• Aerial reconnaissance can detect unauthorized brine dumps shortly after they are created by detecting vegetation die-back and changes in soil color.
2006 CHARBONNEAU SPILL – 12/30/10
• Aerial reconnaissance can detect unauthorized brine dumps shortly after they are created by detecting vegetation die-back and changes in soil color.
2006 CHARBONNEAU SPILL – 1/29/05
• Aerial reconnaissance can detect unauthorized brine dumps shortly after they are created by detecting vegetation die-back and changes in soil color.
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