Results of GEOSAT/SPOT Evaluation Program: Implications for Petroleum Exploration

R. N. Baker

Members of the GEOSAT Committee participated in the French-sponsored investigation of SPOT-1 data to evaluate the benefit of this improved satellite-borne sensor package to the petroleum exploration community. Two proven oil fields (onshore Santa Maria basin, California, and Patrick Draw, Wyoming) were imaged, using multispectral and panchromatic modes, with partial stereo coverage for the California site. Resulting images were interpreted geologically and compared with similar interpretations from aerial photographs, SEASAT-SAR, Landsat MSS, and TM data.

Cost factors were considered to emphasize realistic practical applications of the data (i.e., what combinations of products would best suit the explorationist's needs under limited budgets and rapid data access requirements). Results from the sites showed that: (1) diverse data sets, registered to a common base map and selectively used, provide the most comprehensive geologic assessment at the optimum cost, (2) SPOT's major contribution lies in complex structural terrains where stereo coverage and 10 m resolution can help resolve local mapping problems, (3) analyses relying on multispectral imagery or local site studies are still better served by Landsat TM or aerial photographs, if available, (4) for the GEOSAT test sites, SPOT imagery provided near "air photo" quality coverage for r latively large (60 × 60 km) areas, under uniform illumination conditions. These should be supplemented by other data sets to identify specific exploration targets and clarify the regional tectonic setting.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91030©1988 AAPG Annual Convention, Houston, Texas, 20-23 March 1988.