Remote Sensing for Hydrocarbon Exploration

Abstract

In this section we combine the knowledge of the information remote sensing data provide and integrate different remote sensing products into geologic models of the surface and subsurface to assist all phases of the hydrocarbon exploration. We follow the exploration and production workflow and study solutions that are tailored for individual steps. We start with the aspects of frontier exploration generating regional and basin models and complement these with petroleum system models . The integration of surface and subsurface data shows the impact remote sensing has on subsurface interpretation and modeling even when the raw remote sensing data do not penetrate the earth surface to considerable depth.

In the next stage when the exploration has determined an area of interest within the basin and subsurface geophysical data are to be acquired, we show how remote sensing can contribute to the planning, execution and data quality assessment of seismic data. We conclude that section with a method of creating velocity models for seismic data processing from remote sensing data.

Upon completion of the subsurface 3D modeling based on geophysical data, the decision will be made where to drill and how to develop the field. In this context we study the application of remote sensing data for the assessment of various environmental aspects of infrastructure planning.

We conclude the section with remote sensing contributions to the method of geologic analogs that provide geometrical, structural and depositional concepts for subsurface reservoir modeling. Remote sensing is particularly suited to inspire the geomodeler with realistic concepts for the interpretation of subsurface geologic settings under the assumption that geologic processes in the past have been driven by the same parameters as we observe them in remote sensing data today.