EARSC Vice-Chairman, Giovanni SYLOSLABINI, presented at the First High Level Forum wich was held in Dubai on 20-24 November 2016. This event was organized jointly by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the United Arab Emirates Space Agency
The First High Level Forum aimed to drive debate on the role of space science and technology in fostering global development. The Forum, therefore, represented a unique opportunity for the collective space community to address the future global space governance leading up to the fiftieth anniversary of the First United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space “UNISPACE+50” in 2018.
EARSC Vice-Chairman, Giovanni SYLOSLABINI exposed the view of European SMEs involved in EO services in several pannel discussions.
EARSC is expanding its social media presence with its new LinkedIn page. Follow our page in order to get the latest news about the association, its projects and members.
Follow us also on Twitter are still administrating EARSC LinkedIn Group but it will be more focused on news for members while our page will be disseminating public information.
EARSC is also active on Twitter via two channels: @earsc for the generic news of the association and @EOPages more focused on companies and services.
Firstly, thank you to all who responded to my experiment. People do read the magazine and they do find it useful.
As mentioned last time, an up-to-date mosaic of Africa has been produced but what about Europe? And now that these mosaics are being produced how are you going to use them, and how do you think users will actually use them? This magazine is a communication tool for you so if you have a new product, new idea or a question about how people would use a product then submit an article.
However, with all solutions it is important to understand that they may be just a piece in the jigsaw puzzle, and so it’s important that all pieces of information fit together (open, common standards), that you don’t have the same piece twice (repetition), and you have an idea what the completed picture may look like – understanding the task.
Three concrete cases have been analysed in the frame of the study Assessing the detailed economic benefits derived from Copernicus Earth Observation (EO) data within selected value chains, undertaken by EARSC under an assignment from the European Space Agency (ESA).
The results are captured in separate, dedicated reports which are written to benefit policy makers, in Europe as well as in ESA/EU Member States, who are concerned with (EO) space programmes. However, each single report should also be of interest for the private industries, public authorities and policy makers involved at any level in any of the specific applications described therein.
The MAEOS study is examining the context in which the many EO services companies are operating and the extent to which new trends such as the projected (anticipated) market share increase for geospatial web services can be addressed through a Marketplace.
The MAEOS study is examining the context in which the many EO services companies are operating and the extent to which new trends such as the projected (anticipated) market share increase for geospatial web services can be addressed through a Marketplace.
(Published by GIS Lounge on August 4 by Andrew Cutts, owner of ACGeospatial) It discusses the role of GIS and earth observation data in the oil and gas industry in this guest article.
Earth Observation (EO) data should be a more attractive proposition today than ever before. The USGS suggests the Landsat program is “a stunning return on public investment”. Since the free and open data policy start in 2008 the number of downloaded scenes has increased exponentially.
Not all EO data is free of course, but we have come a long way from the 1990s when a Landsat scene cost greater than $4000. A World Oil article written in 2002 talks about “the growing tie between remote sensing and GIS” and that “The range of remote sensing uses has increased in recent years, and now the role includes integration into sophisticated, quantitative, structural models; surface layers for data cubes; backdrops for GIS models; detailed fracture analyses; logistical and route planning; and environmental assessment, documentation and monitoring.”
THERATE OF DOWNLOADS OF LANDSATDATA IS INCREASINGRAPIDLY. IMAGECREDIT: USGS.
The use of EO data in Oil and Gas goes even further back, with imagery being used in the early 1970s. Landsat 1 was launched in 1972. The point is that the use of EO data within the Oil and Gas sector is not a new thing. In this decade the EO industry is undergoing a step change, more and more satellites are being launched providing increasing spatial and spectral resolution. Everywhere you look the message is consistent – the EO industry is expanding and the use of EO data in Oil and Gas should be looked at again.
In 2014 the European Space Agency (ESA) and the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) funded a project called the EO4OG (Earth Observation for Oil and Gas). The aim was to “to undertake a comprehensive study of the geo-information needs of the O&G sector and what EO services / products could help meet those needs”. It was undertaken by 4 separate consortiums.
The website is rich in content and information. I put together a YouTube video highlighting the key parts although the site is pretty intuitive:
The project identified 225 “challenges” covering onshore and offshore operations. They are listed in entirety here. One of the great things about the challenges is that they have been converted into interactive “Challenge trees”.
IMAGEFROMTHE EO4OG WEBPAGE (ACCESSEDJULY 2016)
These challenge trees allow for quick navigation. Click on a challenge and it will take you to the product sheet. The challenges found by each consortium are coloured by the bounding box (in the example above OTM is blue and Hatfield is orange). There is no repetition within each consortium’s challenges. Surface geological mapping is perhaps best highlighted in desert conditions, such as the Qattara Depression.
An example – OTM-051 Identification of fault lines
Clicking on the identification of fault lines you will be taken to a detailed description of the challenge. “Identification of geological features can give reasonable and early indications of likely reservoir locations. These are more easily seen in clear or deserted regions but areas of forested / agricultural land where the surface is covered or artificially modified, it is difficult to see these”. Each challenge contains comprehensive information about the Challenge and the current ways of addressing it, plus a challenge classification and known restrictions. Relevant products that help address the challenge are also listed on a separate tab.
In this example:
Elevation
Fault Identification
Faults and discontinuities
Floodplain mapping and flood risk assessment
Reservoir optimization
Slope
Surface Deformation
Surface Deformation Monitoring
Terrain Roughness
If you click on Faults and discontinuities, you will be taken to a product sheet. This provides a clear overview of uses, geoinformation requirements, description, limitations/restrictions and coverage. It also will reconnect back to any challenge that this product addresses. Finally, in the product sheet you will get information about how to create a faults and discontinuities map, the data sources, the spatial resolution, the minimum mapping unit, accuracy & constraints, frequency, availability and output format. These product sheets were based on a light version of the Document Requirements Definition (DRD) set out by EARSC.
19 case studies
The EO4OG project also helpfully created 19 case studies. Again they are split into Onshore and Offshore case studies, but each one contains a tab either called ‘Outcomes’ or ‘Results & Perspectives’. The case studies have a global coverage, with a broad range of climatic zones highlighting the reach of the Oil and Gas industry.
Conclusion
EO data has in the past been oversold to the Oil and Gas Sector. The rapid improvement in spatial and spectral resolution, added to the increasing temporal coverage plus a move towards machine learning and ‘Earth Observation 2.0’ is making EO data more attractive today. The work produced by the EO4OG sets a framework to solve common industry problems. Time to look at EO again.
Last July, AARSE, the African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment in cooperation with EARSC published an inventory of African private sectors companies working in the field of Earth Observation (EO) and Geospatial information sciences.
Results of the inventory of the African private EO and Geospatial industry will be presented at the AARSE2016 Conference on 26 October 2016 during the plenary session focused on Private sector in EO and GI.
The AARSE 2016 conference is taking place in Kampala/ Uganda from 24 – 28 Oct. 2016. In particular, the day 3 of the conference will focuss on the role of the African private sector in EO and GI. Representatives from European and African EO services industry will discuss these issues together with representatives from the European Commission, EARSC, AARSE and GEO.
Schedule African Private Sector in EO and GI at AARSE 2016 Conference – Day 3, 26 Oct. 2016 (draft Agenda)
11:00 – 12:30 Plenary Session 3
• Survey on state and health of the African private sector in Earth Observation Presentation of Findings – Tsehaie Woldai, AARSE.
• The experience of the European Association of Remote Sensing Companies – Geoff Sawyer, Secretary general, EARSC
• Private sector Round Table Panel (African and European CEOs, AUC, EC, government representatives)
• Conclusions & way forward (special declaration on private sector in EO)
14:00 – 17:30 Special session: Business to Business Event (B2B)
The European Association of Remote Sensing Companies (EARSC) is a trade association based in Brussels. Whilst remaining a membership focused organisation, EARSC has recently been successfully winning contracts to expand its activities to support the industry which it represents. In consequence we are now seeking a Market Analyst to increase the core team.
About EARSC:
EARSC – the European Association of Remote Sensing Companies – is a non-profit trade association working on behalf of the geospatial information services industry in Europe; in particular the EO services sector which comprises companies generating information using satellite imagery. Established 27 years ago, today, EARSC has over 80 members from throughout Europe and is gaining wide recognition as a key actor in the sector.
Of particular importance is the European Union flagship programme, Copernicus. This is offering new opportunities to the sector to help develop a commercial market and new commercial services. EARSC is playing a key role as interlocutor between the industry and the public stakeholders responsible for driving the Copernicus programme.
As well as a lobbying role, EARSC main effort is focused on helping to open up and develop the market for the products and services which the companies offer. We seek to understand and develop close links with other sectors which are users of these products and services. The Market Analyst will be asked to make a major contribution to this latter task.
The Role:
An understanding of the market for our members’ services is essential for the execution of our tasks. We seek a market analyst who can help us meet this goal. It will be a key role at a key moment where the large increase in availability of EO satellite data as well as technology developments are transforming the way the sector works. The task is very open and will demand initiative and innovative thinking from the candidate as well as tenacity and willingness to adapt. Good interpersonal skills will be an essential to gain the trust of those working with us and in other sectors.
The Market Analyst will work in a small team of people, responsible to the EARSC secretary general. The job will involve conducting case analyses and market studies to understand the economic benefits of the technology and the potential size of specific market sectors. It will require interaction with representatives of other commercial sectors and to establish a good understanding and working relationship.
Working in a small team in an office in Brussels, the job will include a certain amount of travel mainly inside Europe with much activity being focused around Brussels and the European institutions which are strong influencers for our technology and its markets. EARSC is seeking to help the sector develop new business both inside Europe and globally and, for the right candidate, the role could be extended to include developing export opportunities for the sector.
The position will offer a variety of work and represents an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience of working with EU bodies from an industry perspective. There is significant possibility to shape the job to suit the skills of the person recruited.
Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will be responsible for:
• Economic research and analysis linked to the EO services industry and technology.
• Developing links with other commercial sectorial groups relevant to the market for EO services.
• Analysis of EU policy for its implications for the EO services industry especially linked to export markets and Copernicus
• Additional responsibilities may be conferred ie towards export market opportunities.
Qualifications:
• A relevant university degree plus several years of experience.
• A background in market development or communications
• Knowledge of EO services especially from a user perspective
• Some economics knowledge would be an advantage
• Excellent level of English both spoken and written. Other languages are an advantage.
Further qualities:
• Evidence of creative thinking and innovation; ability to take initiatives.
• An ability to network and build good working relationships.
• Ability to perform research tasks using both Internet tools and other direct methods.
• Excellent knowledge of the use of Excel for analytic purposes and Microsoft Office in general
Candidates are invited to submit their CV together with a letter of motivation to EARSC at secreatriat(at)earsc.org, cc projects(at)earsc.org with the subject line [EARSC Job] Market Analyst position (Candidate Name ).
We have just about reached the half-way stage of the work. We have held an extensive consultation with the stakeholders and mapped this to possible functions and architecture. The results are looking good and have helped enormously to clarify the complex landscape in which we are working. We presented the outcome to the EARSC board last Tuesday.
The bottom line, I am delighted to report, is that the EARSC board has decided that they should move immediately towards establishing an EOMall which would be a completely separate legal entity to EARSC. The EOMall would operate a marketplace on behalf of those companies which choose to join and invest in the venture. At the same time, EARSC will define possible conditions for companies working together under a lighter structure which will be the MAEOS
The result is that every company will have a choice whether to join the close collaboration in the EOMall, work in a lighter co-operation under EARSC/MAEOS or stay outside both and operate independently. All companies will be able to remain in the EARSC network and benefit from the lobbying and information activities but those seeking closer co-operation will receive additional benefits.
We shall complete the MAEOS study early next year and plan a meeting in January to present the packages to industry in order that they can start to take decisions on the level of co-operation each one wishes to engage in. In the meantime, the interim results, including those from the stakeholder consultation analysis, will be presented on 25th October in Frascati. For more information please go here