--> Ground-Based Hyperspectral Remote Sensing and Terrestrial Laser Scanning of the Eagle Ford Formation

GCAGS

Datapages, Inc.Print this page

Ground-Based Hyperspectral Remote Sensing and Terrestrial Laser Scanning of the Eagle Ford Formation

Abstract

This study will use ground-based hyperspectral remote sensing and terrestrial laser scanning data to map the Eagle Ford Formation at West Texas. The Eagle Ford Formation consists of rhythmic limestones and marlstones with high total organic content deposited in the Cenomanian-Turonian oceanic anoxic event. Detailed remote sensing study of this formation could provide valuable geological information and foresight about hydrocarbon exploration.

Hyperspectral remote sensing acquires electromagnetic radiation in numerous bands in a continuous spectrum and holds great potential to resolve compositions of scanned materials without physical damages to the rocks. Ground-based hyperspectral study can scan the objects at close ranges with very fine spatial resolutions (millimeters to centimeters). Two spectral mapping algorithms: spectral angle mapper and spectral feature fitting that enable pixel-based spectra matching of study material with reference standards will be used to process the hyperspectral data.

Laboratory spectroscopy will be used to assist with mineral identification and classification in hyperspectral data. Thin section petrography, electron probe, and x-ray diffraction will be used to verify the classification results of hyperspectral remote sensing. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) provides high-accuracy spatial references and enabled detailed sequence stratigraphic study. Combining lithological and remote sensing data, this study will build three-dimensional outcrop models with detailed mineralogical maps, explore the characteristics of the Eagle Ford Formation, and provide a workflow for employing ground-based remote sensing techniques in resource exploration.