FAQs
Q: Which type of landscape is best to work with?
There is no particular landscape that we prefer to work with - we have experience in the full range of primary ecosystems from the high arctic to the tropical jungles! Sand sea deserts are the most difficult.
Q: Does RSDD-H technology work offshore?
The technology doesn’t work over water and is not likely to in the near future in fully marine environments, however some success has been achieved in shallow transition zones.
Q: Do you have to go on to the ground and take samples to verify your results?
No - in the development stage of this technology, scientists surveyed many different ecosystems, taking soil and vegetation samples to analyse. The results were then compared with the results of the satellite imagery processing. A large "ground truth" data base was developed so now it is not necessary to take field samples to complete a survey.
Q: What software do you use in your processing?
This is primarily a proprietary package developed specifically by our company over a number of years. We supplement this with some market-available software for various aspects of our analysis of RSDD-H anomalies.
Q: Can you tell how deep the reservoir is?
Deep sourced anomalies typically generate intense, strong anomalous responses with crisp boundaries. Shallower plays typically produce weaker anomalous responses, diffuse texture and poor boundary conditions.
Q: Do you see Oil seeps more clearly than sub surface reservoirs?
Oil seeps generally appear as small localised features in comparison to the larger anomalies produced by the sub surface accumulations.
Q: Can you tell the difference between oil and gas reservoirs?
In some basins we are now recognising differences between black oil accumulations and wet gas / condensate / dry gas accumulations. This is a matter of detailed research at present. More generally,we give our prognosis based not just on satellite images alone, but by interpreting our results in the context of the regional petroleum geology. This allows us to predict which hydrocarbon phase is more probable.
Q: Can Direct Hydrocarbon Mapping (DHM) differentiate between live oil and residual oil i.e. where a trap exists today versus where a trap once existed but has subsequently lost its original fill?
Residual oil usually provides a less intense signature on RSDD-H imagery. Resource plays can also be identified and multi-depth plays can sometimes be differentiated.
Q: What differentiates this tool from other more widely used and accepted technologies?
- Direct detection of hydrocarbon pools which is unique itself!
- Our case studies illustrate that on any Pareto Analysis (80/20 rule) RSDD-H is effective in most petroliferous basins most of the time
- Quick prospectivity screening of large areas
- The wide spectrum of prospecting resolution from basin-wide “supra-regional” to “ultra-local” prospect level (quarter section prospects (140 acres) by example in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin and some of the Lower 48 States of USA)
- It is environmentally non-invasive: completely remote by nature, thereby allowing prospectivity screening and focusing prior to need to obtain Licence to Operate
- Low cost per unit area (km2) or per Licence Block of coverage.
Q: How much does it cost for a turnkey service over a defined area and what is the pricing model?
Quotations/ prices vary by size of area, surveying resolution and exclusivity of use.
Q: What is the time frame from commission, acquisition, processing to results and recommendations?
Typically 6 weeks for a small survey and 3-4 months for a large regional, new area survey.
Q: What levels of permitting are required for a survey or is it so remote, that "Country Interaction" is not required?
No interaction is required with in-country authorities to complete surveys as on the ground access is not necessary. This is an excellent benefit for early stage exploration initiatives and also means that there is no environmental footprint.