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(11 Mar 2014) BMT ARGOSS, a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, has announced a joint initiative with the Met Office, the UK’s national weather service, and Oceanweather Inc, to help support oil and gas majors with offshore engineering design and operational planning in the mid-Atlantic region.

The main deliverable of this project, entitled the Mid-Atlantic Current Hindcast (MACH), is a 20-year high quality ocean current reanalysis for the mid-Atlantic region, with nested high resolution grids covering principal oil and gas concession areas.

Robin Stephens, Metocean Group Manager at BMT ARGOSS explains: “In recent years, ocean modelling technology has significantly advanced – therefore we recognised the importance and timeliness of conducting a comprehensive, new West Africa ocean current hindcast. Much of the oil and gas activity in this region is in deep water and involves the design, installation and operation of floating production systems with substantial subsea components such as risers and moorings, both of which are very susceptible to current-induced loadings. By simulating ocean current, temperature and salinity in profile we can provide customers with a long term simulation which has been validated and optimised against data that has been measured in the region.”

Following completion of a pilot two year integration and a detailed validation study against available concurrent in-situ current measurements, a full 20-year integration is underway to produce an ocean current hindcast database, suitable for use in offshore engineering and operational planning.

Arwel Griffiths, Business Development Director at the Met Office comments: “This initiative is an exciting opportunity to demonstrate to the oil and gas community our technical credentials in ocean modelling.

With BMT ARGOSS’ extensive experience in providing metocean services, Oceanweather’s strong standing in the provision of high integrity wind and wave hindcast data, and the Met Office’s world class science and forecasting expertise, we are confident that we can provide oil and gas customers with a robust ocean simulation which will help them plan future projects.”

With an initial focus on the West Africa region, the hindcast will provide a strong framework for conducting fine resolution modelling in other parts of the mid-Atlantic basin, including Brazil.

Source

ReSAC was nominated for access the European Space Agency (ESA) – ESA Earth Online database imagery. The research project that ReSAC participates is “Research with synthetic aperture radar – SAR imagery. Application of SAR advanced techniques – interferometry and polarimetry for the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria”, and was selected by ESA, that will provide 80 SAR – imagery for the territory of Bulgaria.

The satellite images are derived from ENVISAT and ERS satellites, which cover different periods and regions of the country. The study will test the applicability of SAR imagery for the Study of Disaster Management; SAR advanced techniques is going to be tested in disaster situations to assess their significance in comparison with the results of ground-based or other remote sensing investigations. The test area will cover areas within the country subject to past earthquakes and landslides. Furthermore, products will be developed to assess the damage from natural disasters, assets mapping and mapping products for the risk of these natural disasters.

With the Nomination for Principal Investigator of ESA Database, ReSAC continues its traditions in research and collaboration with the world’s leading space agencies and related organizations, on behalf of successful cooperation with ESA database for the needs of program Copernicus, with JRC MARS Unit for assessment KOMPSAT satellites and FORMOSAT-2, for their application in SAR, and DLR / NASA for use of data from the SRTM Mission.

Remote Sensing Application Center (ReSAC)
61, Tzar Assen Str., fl. 2, 1463, Sofia, Bulgaria. Tel: +359 2 980 0731 / Fax: +359 2 981 8216. e-mail

(Munich 26.03.2014) GAF has developed and successfully demonstrated a new innovative approach for deriving bathymetry from space. With this method, GAF can generate bathymetric maps covering large areas by simultaneously using differential spectral attenuation and stereo-information from satellite imagery.


The approach only requires the use of satellite stereo imagery with precise ephemeris data and is therefore not dependent on ground truth data like echo sounding or lidar depth measurements. As such time consuming and costly in-situ measurements are not required, the technique is more flexible and cost-effective than traditional approaches. This method has recently been used, for example, to successfully map a large area in the Caspian Sea. The results provide the company RWE Dea Azerbaijan with valuable information suitable for hydrocarbon exploration and for the performance of seismic surveys.

Bathymetry is the underwater topography of lakes or ocean floors and constitutes an important information layer on hydrographic charts. Traditional ways of acquiring bathymetry data include the carrying out of depth measurements using sounding lines, sonar or lidar. However, as ship-based or airborne measurements take time to prepare and perform and can only cover fairly small geographic areas in a single pass, quite significant expenditure is usually required in terms of time and money. Bathymetric information is of importance in offshore hydrocarbon exploration: knowledge of the seabed morphology and of subtle submarine features, such as so-called mud volcanoes, can provide valuable indicators to prospectors. Furthermore, accurate sea-bottom morphology facilitates the correct interpretation of 3D seismic surveys.

RWE Dea Azerbaijan tasked GAF with the performance of a bathymetric survey in its area of interest in the Caspian Sea. GAF made use of satellite remote and its new stereo approach for this task and mapped an area of 230 sqkm. The bathymetric analysis was based on a stereo pair of very high resolution multispectral satellite images. First, stereoscopic measurements were performed, which provided depth information about clearly recognisable submerged features and topography. In a second step, a bathymetric model was created using these features and the satellite imagery, in order to provide area-wide bathymetric mapping of depths and seabed morphology. The bathymetric information was collected in a regular grid with a spatial resolution of 4m and had an absolute vertical accuracy better than 2m. The modelling approach utilises the spectral absorption of light in the water column, which is dependent on the water depth. The method is based on the amount of light penetration into the water column, which under favourable circumstances can reach depths of up to 20m. It should be noted, however, that strong sun glint, and dense accumulations of microorganisms, vegetation or suspended load can hamper the application of the method.

Dr. Christian Bücker, Manager of Research and Development at RWE Dea, states: “The satellite-derived bathymetry provides valuable information for our area of interest in the Caspian sea. The bathymetric analysis was performed successfully and has sufficient accuracy to detect and map mud volcanoes. The existing sparse bathymetry knowledge of the areas has thus been greatly improved.”

Dr. Sebastian Carl, Head of the GAF Data and Products Department, adds: “A cornerstone of GAF`s philosophy right from its very beginnings in 1985 has been to develop and embrace new technologies and methodologies in order to benefit our clients and our business. The GAF stereo method is another example of this and provides innovative area-wide bathymetry in a rapid and cost efficient way”.

About GAF AG – Germany

GAF AG is a leading solutions-provider with an international reputation as a skilled provider of data, products and services in the fields of geo-information, satellite remote sensing, spatial IT and consulting for private and public clients. GAF offers solutions in the sectors of mining and geology, natural resources, water and environment, security, land, agriculture, forestry and climate change. Over the past 28 years, the company has been active in more than 500 projects in over 100 countries throughout Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia. GAF is also a one-stop-shop for the provision of Earth observation satellite data. The company is part of the Telespazio Group, which belongs to Finmeccanica and Thales, two European technology leaders.|

About RWE Dea AG

RWE Dea AG, headquartered in Hamburg, is an international company operating in the field of exploration and production of natural gas and crude oil. The company deploys state-of-the-art drilling and production technologies, and has many years of experience in the sector. RWE Dea has also set new standards in the fields of safety and environmental protection. RWE Dea has stakes in production facilities and concessions in Germany, the UK, Norway, Denmark, Egypt and Algeria and holds exploration concessions in Ireland, Libya, Mauritania, Poland, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Turkmenistan. Moreover, in Germany, RWE Dea also operates large subterranean storage facilities for natural gas. RWE Dea is part of the RWE Group, one of Europe’s largest energy utilities. The Caspian region, where the company has been active since 1995, is one of the focus areas of interest for RWE Dea.

To obtain more information, please contact:
GAF AG
Daniela Miller
Arnulfstr.199, 80634 Munich
Tel. +49 (0) 89 12 15 28 0
Fax. +49 (0) 89 12 15 28 79
info@gaf.de
www.gaf.de

Eurosense Bulgaria, organized a conference held in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Tuesday, 10 December 2013 with subject: “Geospatial Innovations for Sustainable and Safe Environment”, dedicated to the use of new innovative geospatial technologies in support of the successful implementation of EU funds. The conference was with regional, national and international range.

The conference was attended by Ms. Iskra Mihaylova – Minister of Environment and Water of Bulgaria and Acad. Stefan Vodenitcharov, Chairman of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. For conference speakers were invited: four members of EARSC as a three of them are executive board members -Mr. Geoff Sawyer, General Secretary of EARSC, Mr. Francis Vanderhagen, Senior Advisor of the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mr. Kamen Iliev, Director of Bulgarian Centre for National Security and Defence Research and Mrs. Milena Kurteva, General Manager of Eurosense EOOD Bulgaria as well as government experts from the Ministry of Environment and Waters of Bulgaria, Ministry of Economy and Energy of Bulgaria and other bulgarian government structures.

The Conference presented two panels. The first panel explored the synergy between the business and the state for successful implementation of the operational program “Environment” 2014-2020. The second panel discussed how research and innovation can be a key tool to achieve competitiveness in the field of public-private partnerships in the new programming period of the European Union. The panels were very well received, with high approval ratings.

The conference was attended by more than 100 persons including representatives of the state and municipal governments, non-government organizations, scientific society, private companies offering services in the field of aero-space technology, geodesy and cartography, as well as students and interested citizens.

In conclusion, the participants expressed high satisfaction with the conference goal and also complimented the organizers for bringing together exclusive group of speakers, all of whom are leading practitioners in their own field.

The conference was closed by cocktail reception in the occasion of the 10th anniversary of EUROSENSE on the Bulgarian market.

The company is leader in geospatial innovations in Bulgaria and all services offered by EUROSENSE are fully integrated within the organization: aerial photography, processing and interpretation of digital satellite images, development of photogrammetric and topographic maps, digital orthophoto images, aerial laser scanning, hydrographic and thermographic measurements, development of databases in the field of GIS and consulting services.

Thanks to its highly qualified personnel EUROSENSE provides customers with true and reliable geospatial data with precision and high quality, in open and clear project management within the agreed time and project budget.

During the conference EUROSENSE presented its technology solutions and services in the field of remote sensing, 3D modeling for urban planning, management of coastal zone, dikes, highways, railway lines and power lines heating systems, waste deposit and warm water drainage, heat losses through roofs, urban and regional land management, applications for agriculture, risk management, safety and security.


Source Eurosense

Clark Labs is pleased to announce that Geocarto International Centre in Hong Kong, has recently published a new version of Remote Sensing with IDRISI: A Beginner’s Guide, authored by Timothy Warner and David J. Campagna and updated for IDRISI Selva.

The text is ideal for students and professionals seeking a hands-on, guided exploration of the fundamental issues in remote sensing and image processing, using the techniques and approaches within the IDRISI software. An overview and methodology discussion is also provided for each of the topic areas.

The text introduces the reader to the display and basic processing procedures for enhancement, analysis and classification of satellite imagery, and trains the user in how to accomplish these tasks within the IDRISI environment. It also includes sample data from a number of locations around the globe, covering a variety of natural and human-modified environments.

The new text is currently available from Geocarto International Centre and Clark Labs

Source

(28 March 2014) With air pollution linked to millions of deaths around the world, it has never been more important to monitor the air we breathe.

Today marks a significant step forward as a deal is secured to build a crucial space sensor for tracking the world’s air quality.

The €144 million contract for the Sentinel-5 instrument of Europe’s Copernicus programme was formally signed today with Airbus Defence and Space in Ottobrunn, Germany.

“The Sentinel-5 instrument will be very important to continue the monitoring of our atmosphere by an operational system,” noted Volker Liebig, ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programmes.

“Together with the launch of Sentinel-1A just days away, the ambitious Copernicus programme is now on the road to realising its full potential.”

The Sentinel satellites are dedicated to providing data for Europe’s Copernicus initiative – the first operational environmental observation system worldwide. Through Copernicus, data from all the Sentinel missions are freely available to users.

Delivering important data on the composition of the atmosphere, Sentinel-5 is set to make a step change in monitoring and forecasting global air quality.

This state-of-the-art instrument will be installed on the polar-orbiting MetOp Second Generation satellite. It will monitor the composition of Earth’s atmosphere globally on a daily basis by measuring trace gases – such as ozone, sulphur dioxide, methane and carbon monoxide – and aerosols that affect air quality and climate.

The readings will help to both monitor and differentiate between natural and human-produced emissions, providing new insight into the human impact on air quality, ozone and climate.

It will also facilitate air-quality predictions, ranging from near-realtime, next-day air pollution forecasts to climate forecasts for the coming decades.

Measurements by Sentinel-5 will also complement data from MetOp Second Generation’s thermal-infrared sounder and imagers.

As prime contractor for Sentinel-5, Airbus Defence and Space will lead the industrial consortium that will develop, construct and validate the mission’s ultraviolet to shortwave-infrared spectrometer.

(source: ESA) and spacenewsfeed

(Euroconsult) New Euroconsult research assesses distribution mechanisms within the EO value chain.

Data distributors and services providers have established themselves as a key component of the EO value-chain and an important partner of the EO satellite operators in order to disseminate data to the largest number of end-users possible. This is particularly apparent in accessing key fast growing regional markets and being able to do business with government and private end-users locally. According to Euroconsult’s new research report, Earth Observation: Data Distribution, an estimated 12-17% of the $1.5 billion* commercial data market flows through the distributors. It is considered that all major vertical market sectors are procuring from the data distributors to varying degrees.

“While this percentage may seem low, it should be recalled that the majority of the total market is to defense end-users [65%] who prefer a more direct approach to receive imagery, such as through direct receiving stations. Business for the data distributor reflects this, with a far greater emphasis on enterprise markets,” said Philippe Campenon, Deputy Director, Space and Earth Observation at Euroconsult.

Revenue through data services from the distributors is first from civil governments, totaling 47% of distributor data business. This highlights the need to be local in accessing civil contracts, an important consideration given the growing demand globally for EO solutions. Data provision to the private sector through distribution is also disproportionality higher than the total data market, representing 37% of the distributors business.

The relatively small figure of 16% data revenues associated to defense users demonstrates the more direct approach preferred by this user community. Most operating companies with very high resolution satellites offer direct receiving stations solutions to defense end-users in order to meet their requirements of secure, continuous data supply with degrees of autonomy in satellite tasking and data acquisition, and short delivery time.

In order to reach out to all user sectors it is therefore considered a necessity to have a diverse approach in mechanisms for data distribution. This is reflecting in the type of distribution offering. In total, there are more than 550 active data distribution agreements signed globally with local companies. These contracts are classified in five categories within the report, addressing the rationale, contract conditions and key metrics for the following:

  • Data Resellers
  • Value-Added Resellers (VARs)
  • Exclusive Distributors (or Channel Partners)
  • Business Partners
  • Direct Receiving Station Partners

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW RESULTS ON DISTRIBUTORSSALES AND GROWTH STRATEGIES

Interviews were conducted with 15 data distributors with a mean presence in the sector of 19 years. Companies ranged from data distribution being their primary business to organizations active in other parts of the EO value-chain. The following topics are reviewed in detail:

  • Motivation for setting up a data distribution business line
  • The distributors’ offer to the satellite operators
  • The relationship between satellites operators and the distributors
  • Data distributor customer mix
  • Importance of key client requirements
  • Technology as a market driver/inhibitor
  • Ranking the vertical markets driving data sales and services

*Euroconsult: Satellite-based Earth Observation, Market Prospects, 6th edition

ABOUT THE REPORT

Earth Observation: Data Distribution – Profiles, Strategies & Trends gives an assessment of the distribution level of the Earth observation value chain. It is the first research report to explore the connection between operators and distributors and the advantages and challenges in expanding the operators’ geographical footprint and reaching out to the largest potential number of end users through partnerships. It considers both the organization strategy developed by the satellite operators and the viewpoint of the distribution companies.

ABOUT EUROCONSULT

Euroconsult is the leading global consulting firm specializing in space markets. As a privately-owned, fully independent firm, we provide first-class strategic consulting, develop comprehensive research and organize executive-level annual summits for the industry. With 30 years of experience, we are trusted by over 560 clients in 50 countries. Euroconsult is headquartered in Paris, with offices in Montreal, Washington, D.C. and permanent representation in Japan.

PRESS CONTACT
Nancy Essebag-Christie
+1 (514) 303-0304
essebag@euroconsult-na.com

[Via Satellite 03-26-2014] CloudEO has released the beta version of its online marketplace for Earth observation-based products. By supplying data on a pay-per-use or subscription basis, the company is working to bring together imagery providers, analytics companies and customers through one platform. As part of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) business incubation center, CloudEO anticipates opening the geospatial market to many new players.


“[There is a] huge entry barrier to the geospatial industry, and that is where CloudEO wants to change things,” said Manfred Krischke, co-founder and CEO of CloudEO. “It is very much about using specific technology, which allows entrepreneurs to establish new business models.
”CloudEO is pioneering the idea of a “virtual constellation” where customers can search for geospatial products from a variety of providers in one place. If a product is not available, customers can request it, and CloudEO will “play matchmaker” by going to individual suppliers on their behalf. As can be derived from the name, the company uses a cloud-based working space to aggregate various geospatial products.
“If they can get enough people contributing their imagery to it, and if they can get enough ’apps’ developed, then there is demand for the imagery and more people will submit imagery,” said Edward Jurkevics, an analyst at Chesapeake Analytics Corp. “There is this network effect if you can get this cycle going. It may be that the bootstrapping is tricky, but I think that if you can get that done you can have a good business model.”

On the data side of its business, CloudEO has imagery from Airbus Defence and Space, Deimos Imaging and Imagesat. The company also has an agreement with Aerogrid, the largest supplier of aerial photography in Europe, and an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) license agreement with Google that allows for full use of the map engine and Google Application Programming Interface (API) for publishing services. The beta release includes products from companies like EOMAP, DMCii, and others.

“We now have a critical mass,” said Manfred. “We can, or the service provider can find on our platform everything from very high-resolution imagery to base data like digital elevation models.”
“There is an influx of geospatial imagery, which will be added over the coming years because of the proliferation of CubeSats,” added Ilya Golubovich, CloudEO investor and founding partner of I2BF Global Ventures. “There will be a huge demand for new tools to analyze this imagery. Eventually there is going to be a big data problem, and CloudEO is one of the tools to solve that problem. It’s not just the big companies that are expanding their constellations to provide better and more prolific geospatial data, but it’s also about the newcomers like Skybox, Planet Labs and Dauria Aerospace that are going to be launching cheaper satellites that can produce very high quality data.”

The CloudEO marketplace includes products across the spectrum for geospatial information services, not limited exclusively to imagery. Many Geographic Information System (GIS) applications are very granular and market specific, and CloudEO is working to bring analysts onboard as well. Often, projects in GIS are very specialized and need refined expertise on the number-crunching side. The effect this will have on larger verticals, such as the government or oil and gas that often have well-established providers already, is yet to be known.

“From the investor side, it was one question of due diligence for us,” said Golubovich. “What about the titans of the industry? At the end of the day the conclusion we came to was that CloudEO doesn’t cannibalize or compete with DigitalGlobe and the like companies, necessarily. CloudEO is a potential additional revenue channel to what they already are doing.”

Software companies that provide information on CloudEO will receive revenue from any products made using their imagery or analytics. Service developers can work on the platform, but cannot take anything away without first going through a purchase checkout. With the combination of new smaller imaging satellites and the increasing prevalence of digital services, CloudEO expects its platform to enable many new services as the applications for GIS grow.

“Our belief is that 80 percent of value in this industry is added on the ground, not in space,” said Golubovich. “CloudEO is an essential part of building the applications.”

Source

Metria (Sweden)and GeoVille (Austria) joined forces to map forest and land cover in Liberia.

Recently a contract was signed with the Forest Development Authority in Liberia to map the entire country during 2014. The team of service providers have proven to be successful in detailed mapping and in Liberia the products will be used to support the REDD + reporting on forests. Besides from the mapping, operational routines for forest change mapping will be introduced and run at the client´s premises.

Source Metria

In the framework of the 5th EU-Africa Business Forum ending March, a round table with international organizations and private sector has been organised to discuss how to foster business opportunities in the use of space services in Africa. Han Wensink, the EARSC Chairman has co-chaired the session on “Fostering business opportunities in the Space Sector”.

There are certainly possibilities for cooperation in the space sector between Europe and Africa. The indications are also that this cooperation is likely to intensify in the years to come. The challenge now is to understand how to take full advantage of the possibilities that exist, and how to help improve the situation. The Round table served at agreeing on a private sector declaration to be submitted to the Summit.

African and European companies in the field of aerospace and satellite services have been be invited to participate taking the opportunity that the Forum represents an important occasion to discuss business opportunities on both sides.

EARSC has presented:

  • eoservicesAfrica handout
  • In Brief Stories (slides)- Africa.pdf
  • Speech Han Wensink for EABF,April1st2014