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Darmstadt/Paris, 28 September 2012 – Four of the instruments on the Metop-B weather satellite (AMSU-A, ASCAT, MHS, GRAS) have been activated this week and are delivering data.

This demonstrates that Metop-B, launched on 17 September, is performing well and is on its way towards replacing the ageing Metop-A as prime operational satellite in polar orbit, after the six-month commissioning phase.

The Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) and Microwave Humidity Sounder (MHS) are innovative European instruments. ASCAT delivers information on near-surface wind speed and direction over the global oceans and soil moisture over land, while the MHS delivers information on atmospheric humidity in all weather conditions.

The Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU-A) is an American heritage instrument already flying on the US NOAA satellites, providing temperature soundings in all weather conditions.

The Global Navigation Satellite System Receiver for Atmospheric Sounding (GRAS) instrument is delivering data which are used to provide atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles by measuring the bending of GPS signals through the atmosphere. Data from GRAS are also used for precise orbit determination of the Metop-B satellite before and after the nominal stop-drift manoeuvre, in conjunction with traditional ranging and Doppler measurements.

Temperature and humidity soundings, wind at the ocean surface, and soil moisture are essential inputs to Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models, the basis of modern weather forecasting. The all-weather wind measurements provided by ASCAT are used worldwide to track mid-latitude storms and tropical cyclones.

These instruments also contribute to the long-term data sets needed for climate studies and monitoring.

The first data delivered by the European instruments are a joint achievement by ESA, EUMETSAT, and the European space industry. For its mandatory programmes, EUMETSAT relies on ESA for the development of new satellites and the procurement of recurrent satellites like Metop-B. This cooperation model has made Europe a world leader in satellite meteorology by making best use of the respective expertise of the two agencies.

Links to the first data can be found under AMSU
ASCAT
MHS

About Metop

The Metop satellites are Europe’s first operational meteorological satellites in polar orbit. They constitute the space segment of the EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS) delivering data for numerical weather prediction (NWP) – the basis of modern weather forecasting – and climate and environmental monitoring.

Flying at an altitude of 817 km, each Metop satellite carries the same sophisticated suite of instruments providing fine-scale global data, which can only be gathered in the low Earth orbit, such as vertical profiles of atmospheric temperature and moisture, wind speed and direction at the ocean surface, and some atmospheric trace gases.

Observations from Metop-A have significantly improved weather forecasts up to 10 days ahead. These forecasts are essential to protect life and limit damage to property, but they also benefit the weather-sensitive sectors of the European economy, especially energy, transportation, construction, agriculture and tourism.

The three Metop satellites, launched sequentially, will provide continuous data until 2020. The first satellite, Metop-A, was launched in 2006, and the third and final satellite, Metop- C, is scheduled for launch at the end of 2017.

ESA is responsible for the development of the three Metop satellites, fulfilling user and system requirements defined by EUMETSAT. ESA also carries out operations for the Launch and Early Orbit Phase to place the satellites in polar orbit, before handing them over to EUMETSAT for commissioning and exploitation. EUMETSAT develops all ground systems required to deliver products and services to users and to respond to their evolving needs, procures launch services and operates the full system for the benefit of users.

The EPS programme is Europe’s contribution to the Initial Joint Polar System (IJPS), with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

About EUMETSAT

The European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites is an intergovernmental organisation based in Darmstadt, Germany, currently with 26 European Member States (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom) and five Cooperating States (Bulgaria, Estonia, Iceland, Lithuania, and Serbia).

EUMETSAT operates the geostationary satellites Meteosat-8 and -9 over Europe and Africa, and Meteosat-7 over the Indian Ocean. The third Meteosat Second Generation satellite, MSG-3, was launched on 5 July 2012 and will be renamed Meteosat-10 after commissioning is complete.

Metop-A, the first European polar-orbiting meteorological satellite, was launched in October 2006 and has been delivering operational data since 15 May 2007. It will be replaced by Metop-B, which was launched on 17 September 2012.

The Jason-2 ocean altimetry satellite, launched on 20 June 2008, added monitoring of sea state, ocean currents and sea level change to the missions EUMETSAT conducts.

The data and products from EUMETSAT’s satellites are vital to weather forecasting and make a significant contribution to the monitoring of environment and the global climate.

Media Relations
EUMETSAT
Tel: +49 6151 807 7320 Fax: +49 6151 807 7321 press@eumetsat.int www.eumetsat.int

About the European Space Agency

The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space.

ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

ESA has 19 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, of whom 17 are Member States of the EU. ESA has Cooperation Agreements with nine other Member States of the EU and is negotiating an Agreement with the one remaining (Bulgaria). Poland is in the process of becoming ESA’s 20th Member State. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.

By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country.

ESA develops the launchers, spacecraft and ground facilities needed to keep Europe at the forefront of global space activities. Today it launches satellites for Earth observation,
navigation, telecommunications and astronomy, sends probes to the far reaches of the Solar System and cooperates in the human exploration of space.

For further information, please contact: ESA Media Relations Office Communication Department
Tel: +33 1 53 69 72 99
Fax: +33 1 53 69 76 90

EO Industry Survey goes live!

A detailed understanding of the Earth Observation sector and the trends is essential to help stakeholders to plan their activities and to assess the effectiveness of their actions. Industry has a strong interest to ensure that accurate and up-to-date information is available.

EARSC in partnership with ESA is about to execute a survey to analyse the state of the EO Services Industry and to understand the issues that are important for its future. This will help inform ESA on the priorities for future EO value adding activities and pave the way for other stakeholder actions. It will provide critical data to help set budgets for EO research and development. It will enable EARSC to represent the industry in the most effective way.

The information collection phase will be starting soon. A web-based questionnaire will be sent to all companies believed to be active in providing or using geo-information containing some satellite data.

All European and Canadian EO service providers identified by the study team will receive an email notification from EARSC via Survey Monkey which will enable them to access the EO Survey. We estimate the total time for completion is about 15 minutes for the core survey.

The web-questionnaire will be followed by a limited number of phone interviews. Whilst the first is very focused on figures the second will be more subjective and opinion-oriented and we estimate will take around 30 to 45 minutes. We would like as many companies as possible to complete both surveys and are interested to hear from any company wishing to participate.

Active participation by the EO service industry is a critical component in ensuring that the survey can meet the objectives of furnishing a sufficiently comprehensive and accurate picture of the current industry status and health. These information will help also to identify priority issues, dominant opportunities, threats and other concerns facing the industry; therefore to have a clear picture about our sector!

If you wish to participate in the survey, or if you have any other questions regarding the survey, contact the following emails:
EARSC:Monica Miguel-Lago E:secretariat-at-earsc.org and
ESA:Ola Grabak E:ola.grabak-at-esa.int

Thank you very much for your active participation,
EARSC secretariat

The Flash Eurobarometer (Flash No 355) on space activities of the European Union was conducted in July 2012 in order to examine our citizens’ awareness, expectations and wishes regarding space based services and their opinion on the role of the EU in the development of space activities.

Our economies and our daily life increasingly depend on space based systems and infrastructures. Be it for weather forecasting, telecommunications, television, financial transactions, our transport systems as well as for our security. Satellites have already a direct impact on our lives and surely this trend will increase more and more in the decades to come.

This is why the EU centres its action in the space field on the wellbeing of its citizens. Its interest also focuses on how space can support our economy by creating growth and jobs. Space programmes are indeed highly innovative; they create opportunities for new services as well as technology spin-offs in other sectors.

Thanks to this survey we have now a realistic (and positive) view on the perception that European citizens have of EU space activities.

More information at full report

See also the DG ENTR space web site

Source EC and GMES.Info

This survey acknowledges the importance that space has for European citizens and it supports the EU’s involvement in this domain. So despite the current economic and financial turmoil our citizens are confident in our space initiatives. They are crucial for the economy and society and to foster innovation and industrial competitiveness.

(26 September 2012) Archived radar data from the Envisat mission are playing an important role in mapping landslides in Switzerland. The mission’s vast archives continue to prove useful for mapping ground deformation.

Landslides are a natural hazard of special relevance in Alpine regions. This ground displacement can severely damage human lives and infrastructure.

Earth-observing satellites – specifically those equipped with radars – can help scientists to map and monitor ground movement.

This information can then be used by local authorities in planning safe and durable infrastructure, as well as for mapping risk to existing infrastructure.


The Grison Alps in eastern Switzerland. The colours represent mean yearly displacement rates derived from Envisat data 2002–10. Red dots depict a subsidence of at least 5 mm per year.Credits: ESA / Gamma Remote Sensing


Regional hazard map over an area in western Switzerland showing rock falls in pink and landslides in orange and yellow. Radar data from the Envisat satellite are still being used to support the generation of regional hazard maps.Credits: Canton Bern

From their orbits some 800 km above the ground, satellite radars can detect these ground deformations down to within centimetres.

When two or more radar images of the same area are combined, positional changes are revealed. This technique, called Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar – or DInSAR – has become a useful tool for detecting ground deformation.

The Swiss corporation Gamma Remote Sensing began using DInSAR on Swiss landslides with data from ESA’s ERS missions in 2000.

Following Envisat’s launch in 2002, they continued to detect and monitor alpine land displacement for the next decade.

“The use of Envisat data for landslide monitoring had a difficult start,” said Urs Wegmüller, CEO of Gamma Remote Sensing.


The Swiss village of Grindelwald in the Bernese Alps experienced slope movements on both sides of the valley during 1995–2000. Colours represent the average yearly displacement rates derived using radar data from ESA’s ERS mission.Credits: ESA / Gamma Remote Sensing

“In the early days of the mission, SAR data were acquired in many different modes so that no consistent archives were built.

“When the satellite was systematically programmed to gather dedicated data over the Swiss Alps in the summer, this significantly improved the situation so that we have now very good archives available.”

Using the radar data, Gamma Remote Sensing provides deformation maps that are used by Swiss cantons to generate regional hazard maps.

This process is overseen by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment, which is responsible for minimising natural hazards, protecting the environment and reducing risks to human health.


Sentinel-1, the first Earth observation satellite to be built for Europe’s Global Monitoring for Environment and Security program.Credits: ESA/P. Carril

The Envisat mission ended in April after doubling its lifetime, but its radar data are still being used for generating regional hazard maps.

Gamma Remote Sensing will continue to use archived Envisat data for their landslide inventory work, and the commercial alternatives TerraSAR-X, Cosmo-Skymed and Radarsat-2 are now providing complementary data for monitoring.

From 2014, data from the Sentinel-1 mission will be used to build upon the existing archive and provide monitoring.

The Sentinel family of satellites is being developed for Europe’s Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) programme.

Source ESA and SatNews

(11 September 2012). British satellite imaging company DMC International Imaging Ltd (DMCii) is today launching a ground-breaking project with support from the UK’s innovation agency, the Technology Strategy Board to provide more accurate and reliable information about land carbon storage and how it changes over time.

By building on established carbon modelling and satellite remote sensing techniques, this initiative will provide scientifically validated carbon market intelligence and an automated Monitoring, Verification and Reporting (MRV) system to help organisations in their efforts to reduce deforestation and degradation. This system is designed for use in supporting REDD+ initiatives and aims to significantly reduce the transaction costs incurred in trading forest based carbon.

An important differentiator for this project is that the team will conduct rigorous scientific analysis of the carbon intelligence from the data sources (satellite images and ground samples) throughout the processing chain and will use carbon models to quantify the uncertainties involved and supply users with valuable quality assurance information.

Head of DMCii Product Development, Adina Gillespie, explains: “Earth observation-based carbon models are proven effective for MRV, but we have to accept that we don’t yet have a perfect system. We set out by asking ourselves: How can policy makers and carbon markets put their trust in an MRV system without knowing the uncertainties involved? With this in mind, we will employ end-to-end quality assurance and make the accuracy of the carbon market intelligence from this system available to the user.”

The system will use high­–resolution satellite images to produce detailed carbon inventory maps, and will incorporate frequently updated images from Earth observation satellites to determine changes (deforestation, degradation) in forest cover or land use – and therefore the carbon flux – over time.

This innovative project was made possible with investment from the Technology Strategy Board, and brings together carbon intelligence provider Carbon Associates Limited and world renowned remote sensing and carbon sequestration researchers from University College London (UCL) under the leadership of satellite operator and remote sensing solution provider DMCii. The resulting carbon market intelligence products address a market estimated at £16 billion for which the UK has a strong base of skills, experience, research and technology.

Patrick Newton, acting Chief Executive Officer of Carbon Associates, commented, “we are very pleased to have been selected as a consortium partner alongside DMCii and UCL in this Technology Strategy Board backed project. We look forward to delivering increasingly accurate carbon stock accounting data to project developers, financiers and forest owners as they look to trade forest based carbon credits in the voluntary markets and take advantage of the enhanced Carbon Market Intelligence this project will deliver”.

Carbon market intelligence is continuously developing as the science matures and new techniques are developed. By employing rigorous quality assurance throughout its system, the team will be able to test how future improvements influence the reliability of data as the science and techniques of carbon modelling and remote sensing evolve.


Caption: UK-DMC2 Image of Mato Grosso, Brazil © DMCii, 2012. All rights reserved

About DMC International Imaging Ltd

DMC International Imaging Ltd (DMCii) is a UK based supplier of remote sensing data products and services for international Earth Observation (EO) markets. DMCii supplies programmed and archived optical satellite imagery provided by the multi-satellite Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC). DMCii’s data is used extensively in a wide variety of commercial and government applications including agriculture, forestry and environmental mapping.

In partnership with the UK Space Agency and the other Disaster Monitoring Constellation member nations (Algeria, China, Nigeria, Turkey and Spain), DMCii works with the International Charter ‘Space and Major Disasters’ to provide free satellite imagery for humanitarian use in the event of major international disasters such as tsunamis, hurricanes, fires and flooding.

DMCii was formed in October 2004 and is a subsidiary of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), the world leader in small satellite technology. SSTL designed and built the Disaster Monitoring Constellation with the support of the UK Space Agency and in conjunction with the other Disaster Monitoring Constellation Consortium member nations listed above.

DMC International Imaging Ltd is not affiliated in any way with Intergraph Corp., Z/I Imaging Corp., or their registered trade mark DMC.

About Carbon Associates Limited (CAL)

CAL is a value added processor of remote sensing and ground collected data. CAL applies its proprietary algorithms and statistical analysis to big data sets in order to calculate carbon stock values – and changes in those values over time – for forested and agricultural land. CAL provides processed data sets and index based products to users as a managed service for the delivery of Carbon Market Intelligence.

Carbon Associates Limited is UK based and private equity backed.

About the Technology Strategy Board

The Technology Strategy Board is the UK’s innovation agency; its goal is to accelerate economic growth by stimulating and supporting business-led innovation. Sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Technology Strategy Board brings together business, research and the public sector, supporting and accelerating the development of innovative products and services to meet market needs, tackle major societal challenges and help build the future economy. For more information please visit: www.innovateuk.org

Contacts:
DMCii:Paul Stephens, DMCii, Email: P.Stephens@dmcii.com
Carbon Associates: Rebecca Reilly, Open Road, Email: rebecca.reilly@theopen-road.com

(27 September 2012) e-GEOS is pleased to announce the publication of its new Price List, which will be effective immediately

GeoEye-1/IKONOS

  • New Priority Tasking Policy: new pricing per km2 has been introduced, based on different priority levels (Elevated Tasking and Targeted Tasking). The two new tasking options replace the previous up-front Priority Tasking fee.
  • New Products: now available GeoProfessional Archive, GeoEye View, GeoEye View Archive (GeoEye View is an orthorectified image product specifically designed for use in Google Earth and Maps and is licensend as “view-only”. It can only be viewed and managed within the Google Enterprise Geo infrastructure.)

DigitalGlobe:

  • New Archive Policy and Pricing:
    Standard Archive: Pricing applies to data older than 90 days
    Fresh Archive: Pricing applies to data less than 90 days old, equivalent to Select Tasking price.
  • New Products: 2m resolution Standard, Basic and Stereo products now available
  • Basic Products: Minimum order sizes and prices based on km2
  • CitySphere offering removed

Envisat

  • Only archive products available due to end of mission, declared on 9 May, 2012

ALOS

  • ALOS archive products again available

Contact your Customer Service Representative for any additional information or clarification. Regards. e-GEOS Team

e-GEOS, an Italian Space Agency (20%) and Telespazio (80%) company, is a leading international player in the geo-spatial business. e-GEOS offers a range of products and services in the Earth Observation and in the geo-spatial application domains, based on both optical and radar satellites as well as on aerial surveys.
e-GEOS operates its Earth Observation centres in Matera and Neustrelitz, where data from multiple satellites are received and processed, also for near-real-time monitoring

Price List

Remote Sensing Application Center – ReSAC is subcontractor of the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (NIMH) – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences – BAS on a project for preparation of methodology for hazard and flood risk assessment.

This project was commissioned by the Ministry of Environment and Water of Republic of Bulgaria (MOEW) in reference to the implementation of the second stage of Directive 60/2007/EU, known as Floods Directive. When carrying out the project tasks, ReSAC will develop the following:

  • preparation of methodology and criteria for identifying and classifying of flood risk and defining the regions with significant potential flood risk;
  • preparation of methodology for mapping of regions with significant potential flood risk.

These activities should be completed by January 2013 and after that the work on mapping of regions under flood risk and hazard will begin.

The Floods Directive is published in the Water Act of Republic of Bulgaria on 6th August 2010. In the end of 2011, the first stage of its implementation was completed – preliminary flood risk assessment. As a result, places that have registered significant past floods and places with possibility to happen future significant floods, were defined. The implementation of Floods Directive has three stages:

  • Preliminary flood risk assessment, as a result of which the river basins and the coastal areas are defined as regions with significant potential flood risk;
  • Mapping of regions under flood risk and hazard
  • Preparation of Flood Risk Management Plans.

Bulgaria has already started reporting of its activity under the EU Directive, following all the rules and frames, set in it. The country is in the beginning of the second stage of its implementation, in which Remote Sensing Application Center – ReSAC takes active participation.


Fig. Flood hazard mapping for Biser Village, Bulgaria. Source: ReSAC, Produced: 08.02.2012

For more information:
Remote Sensing Application center – Bulgaria

Earth observation is the process of collecting information about the Earth’s physical, chemical, and biological systems. It is actually an everyday affair for many of us – especially curious individuals.

When a nature lover jots down notes on his or her observations of flora and fauna, it is indeed a simple form of Earth observation. Due to the advancement of technology, Earth observation can take complex forms, such as radar images from Earth observation satellites, allowing the observation from orbit. Examples of such satellites are NASA’s TIMED and European Space Agency’s ENVISAT.

The aforementioned forms of Earth observation provide raw data. On the other hand, sophisticated forms of Earth observation, such as predictive maps and models, are based on processed information and are highly required for making decisions regarding issues such as emergency evacuation, urgent response to natural disasters, and budget allocation for disaster management.

Relationship between Earth Observations and Sustainability of the Earth

Bird watching, a simple form of Earth observation, can provide insight into migration of birds, fragility of the ecosystem, population density of birds, and climate changes. Recreational Earth observations, such as bird watching, can lead to appreciation of nature by common citizens, even those who lack a formal education or even initial interest in environmental science. Travel writer Jeanine Barone (2010) predicted, “As the Maltese children develop an appreciation for nature, perhaps this tradition of shooting and trapping birds illegally will become a thing of the past.”

Apart from the sustainability of the Earth, bird watching provides opportunities for entrepreneurship in the tourism sector. Guided tours can become major businesses, while simultaneously educating the tourists on the need for conservation. Bird watching also provides a means of networking, which can transform into long-lasting relationships necessary for building the nation collectively. For instance, the Disabled Birders Association ensures that individuals with disability can share in the joys of a common hobby.

An adventurous form of Earth observation is exploration. Field Expedition: Mongolia, Valley of the Khans Project is an appropriate example. This archaeological project aims to preserve the culture and archaeological heritage of Mongolia, while preventing illegal mining in the region. Illegal mining causes extinction of animals, desertification, and changes in rainfall. Exploration also leads to discovery. For instance, Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish biologist considered to be one of the fathers of modern ecology, described 100 plants – which were previously unknown – during his expedition to Lapland.

A complex form of Earth observation is space exploration. QuickBird is a high-resolution Earth observation satellite that can easily map buildings and other infrastructure. Therefore, it can reveal much-needed information for city planning. European Space Agency’s ENVISAT (environmental satellite)’s objective is to improve environmental studies by providing information on ozone depletion, pollution, humidity, agriculture, and natural hazards. India’s Oceansat-2 is dedicated to researching aerosol content in the atmosphere and suspended sediments in the water along the coastal regions. As a result, it has the potential to identify air and water pollution.

Owing to the importance of Earth observations, many nations have invested heavily in this sector and yet more are scaling up their investment. The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) unites 75 nations and 51 organizations, including the United Nations Environment Program, to accelerate the prevalence and use of Earth observations in protecting the Earth. In addition, there are many projects that encourage the participation of the general public in Earth observations. World Water Monitoring Day is dedicated to such an initiative. It provokes the public to actually think about the water quality, and act responsibly thereafter, by allowing individuals to perform basic monitoring of local bodies of water.

Earth Observations in Bangladesh

“Due to the lack of proper ocean observing system, 2012 might be the centenary of the sinking Titanic of the low lands of Bangladesh. The use of observations and numerical models can be crucial to understanding the subtle sea-level changes occurring in that region.” (Nomana Intekhab Hadi, 2011). For bird watching, although Botanical Garden in Bangladesh is famous, “the garden authority has done little to preserve or improve its bird habitats.” (Enam Ul Haque, 2010).

Earth observations are yet to be popular in Bangladesh, especially among the youth. There is a lack of awareness that Earth observation includes simple activities, such as bird watching, and that it is so critical to the sustainability of the Earth. Also at work is a lack of funds, technology, and expertise to carry out Earth observations. For instance, bird watchers must be trained to avoid stressing birds through their photography, destroying nests, and trespassing into private property.

However, the efforts of Bangladesh are praiseworthy. Bangladesh Astronomical Society is very active and regularly organizes seminars and workshops. It has a robust partnership with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The Department of Environment of Bangladesh has initiated about 12 projects, all of which include elements of Earth observation for a sustainable Earth. Bangladesh became a member of Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) in December 2007. In 2008, Bangladesh decided to “improve the water resources management through sharing data and information system” with assistance from GEOSS. (BSS, 2008). Bird fairs, aimed at creating awareness among people about birds and nature conservation, are also common in Bangladesh.

Academic institutions, governments, private businesses, non-profit organizations, scientists and many others rely on data from Earth observations. There might not be many Earth observations taking place in Bangladesh, but the citizens of Bangladesh are definitely in awe of nature and are keen to work for the sustainability of the Earth. The key is to raise awareness about the relationship between Earth observations and sustainability.

This was originally published on 6th of February, 2012 by Earthzine (http://www.earthzine.org/), an online source for news, articles, information, and educational materials about Earth science, Earth observations, and users of Earth information for the international Earth-observing community. Earthzine is a contribution of the IEEE Committee on Earth Observation (ICEO) in support of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) and its mission. Earthzine has granted exclusive republishing rights to The Weekend Independent.

Source The Independent

Original article extracted from Earthzine

The initiative on Earth Observation in the Oil and Gas industry (OGEO) had its 3rd workshop held on the 14th of September 2012 on the other side of the World – from a European perspective that is, Perth in Western Australia was the destination and Woodside Energy Ltd, the host for the day.

The time and location was chosen to coincide with another major Oil & Gas industry event and to attract a number of industry people already in town. The OGEO workshop had 86 external attendants, with 27 % coming from Europe. Participants form 9 Oil and Gas companies were represented, such as Shell, BP, Chevron and Total.

The day was filled with 21 presentations and gave a good overview of EO applications in the Oil and Gas industry. The themes covered were Environment, MetOcean and Geomatics / Infrastructure mapping with some of the talks also touching on emergency response activities using EO data. The European initiative GMES and its potential benefits for industry was discussed by a representative from ESA and the feedback from the audience was very positive and even the program is in place for many years now – not too many people in Australia know about it in detail. Another interesting talk came from KSAT in Norway and there fast response capabilities in EO after any emergency, which is quite an important operational aspect for the O&G industry. The importance of Earth Observation for MetOcean parameters was highlighted by different presenters, but a presentation by Total, France showing the integration of ‘near real time EO’ with ocean modelling to improve oil spill trajectories can be viewed as ‘state of the art’ use of Earth Observation technology. The use of EO systems at the opposite scale – small UAV’s (Unmanned Airborne Vehicles) – was demonstrated by a Australian company WorlseyParson and allows the integration of small scale observation into the bigger picture of data acquired via satellites.

OGEO is now also an official sub-committee of the OGP (International Association of Oil and Gas Producers – www.ogp.org.uk) under the Geomatics Committee, which was announced during the workshop by its current chairman

All in all, a very successful event and with a 2013 workshop being planned again in Europe OGEO members are looking forward to a successful continuation of the OGEO collaboration between the O&G industry, EO service providers and the R&D / Academia world.

The final program with abstract is published on the website: www.esa-orgeo.org and the presentations will be made available as they are being released by the authors. The workshop summary report is currently being compiled and will also be made available via the ESA website and distributed to interested people.

If you would like to find out more about OGEO please contact the OGEO via OGP or send an email via EARSC.

Dr. Peter Hausknecht
OGEO chairman

OGEO

(17 September 2012) MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates, a provider of essential information solutions, announced today that it has signed a multi-million dollar sole source delivery order under its Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

The delivery order is for the provision of Radarsat-2 information to be used by the National Ice Center in creating ice charts supporting environmental monitoring and improving the safety of maritime navigation.

About MDA

MDA provides advanced information solutions that capture and process vast amounts of data, produce essential information, and improve the decision making and operational performance of business and government organizations worldwide.

Focused on markets and customers with strong repeat business potential, MDA delivers a broad spectrum of information solutions, ranging from complex operational systems, to tailored information services, to electronic information products.

(source: MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates)