--> Abstract: The U.S. Geological Survey Side-Looking Airborne Radar Acquisition Program: An Update and a Look at Petroleum Exploration, by J. W. Schoonmaker, Jr., A. N. Kover, and B. C. Hanson; #90987 (1993).

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SCHOONMAKER, J. W., JR., and A. N. KOVER, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA, and B. C. HANSON, Louisiana Geological Survey, Baton Rouge, LA

ABSTRACT: The U.S. Geological Survey Side-Looking Airborne Radar Acquisition Program: An Update and a Look at Petroleum Exploration

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) program has acquired data over more than 40 percent of the continental United States. Areas of known petroleum resources are covered by many of these data.

SLAR image data, acquired by contractor-supplied X-band (3 cm) radar systems, are compiled into 1:250,000-scale 1 x 2 quadrangle (1 x 3 in parts of Alaska) mosaics in the same format as the USGS topographic map series. More than 250 of these quadrangle mosaics have been prepared. A composite SLAR mosaic of West Virginia and parts of adjacent states has been produced for the USGS. Twenty other large regional or composite mosaics have been compiled from USGS data by commercial firms. Recently, image data recorded on high-density digital tape have been converted to nin-track computer compatible tape. Beginning with the fiscal year 1990 contract, all image strip data acquired are available on CD-ROM. USGS SLAR data can be ordered from the USGS EROS Data Center (EDC), Sioux Falls, SD 57198

SLAR data have been acquired over many potential petroleum areas. The western Brooks Range in northern Alaska covering the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPRA) was imaged in 1981. The Black Warrior basin in Alabama and Mississippi, an area of high hydrocarbon potential, has been imaged. Data for part of the Midland basin in Texas was acquired in 1988. Recent image data of Louisiana and Mississippi show numerous circular domal features with oil and gas potential.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90987©1993 AAPG Annual Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 25-28, 1993.