Computer processing of remote-sensing data for petroleum exploration
- Chevron Oil Field Research Co., La Habra, CA (USA)
Digitally processed remote-sensing images acquired from satellites and aircraft are increasingly employed for onshore exploration. The US Landsat thematic mapper acquires regional images (170 {times} 185 km) with moderate spatial resolution (30 m) and seven spectral bands. The French SPOT system acquires local images (60 by 60 km) in two modes: infrared color images of moderate resolution (20 m) and panchromatic images of high resolution (10 m). Landsat and SPOT are passive systems that primarily record reflectance at visible and reflected infrared wavelengths which do not penetrate clouds. Radar is an active system that operates at microwave wavelengths and penetrates clouds to produce images that enhance subtle topographic and tectonic features. The following digital processes are applied to the remote-sensing data to produce images for geologic interpretation. Restoration compensates for errors, noise, and distortion introduced during the scanning, transmission, and recording of image data. Typical programs correct for dropouts, banding, noise, atmospheric effects, and geometric distortion. Enhancement modifies data to improve its interpretability. Typical programs include contrast enhancement, edge enhancement, and transformation into intensity, hue, and saturation components. Information extraction identifies specific geologic relationships for the interpreter. Principal components, ratios, and classification images provide lithologic and other geologic information. Regional studies in temperate to arid areas typically use Landsat images. Complex subareas are then examined on SPOT panchromatic images which may be digitally composited with Landsat data. Radar images are employed in cloudy regions and to enhance low-relief features. These concepts are illustrated with processed images from various exploration project.
- OSTI ID:
- 6682171
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-900605-; CODEN: AABUD
- Journal Information:
- AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA), Vol. 74:5; Conference: Annual convention and exposition of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, San Francisco, CA (USA), 3-6 Jun 1990; ISSN 0149-1423
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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