Reducing Deforestation Impacts of 3-D Seismic in Tropical Ecuador Using High-Resolution Satellite Imagery

Mark Thurber¹, David Westlund², Gernando L. Benalcazar², and Antonio Semanate^1
1 Walsh Ecuador, La Floresta, Quito, Ecuador
² EnCana

Multiple seismic exploration programs have been conducted in the Ecuadorian Amazon since the 1970s without reusing previously cleared areas for heliports and camps, resulting in unnecessary cumulative deforestation impacts. Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers (WALSH) and EnCana have developed a remote sensing technique to eliminate these redundant impacts by accurately identifying historic heliports and camps in mature tropical rainforest for reuse in a 3D seismic exploration program.