Soft ground mapping: Western UAE

Multispectral satellite imagery, from Landsat 7 ETM, high resolution archive Quickbird data and a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) from the space shuttle radar topographic mission (SRTM) were used to map soft ground in UAE. This Earth Observation (EO) data was used in combination with field scouting to plan for areas susceptible to sabkha and to mitigate against risks such as vehicle sinking in.

A land seismic survey conducted by WesternGeco in Western UAE, near the town of Sila, found large areas of soft ground unsuitable for vibroseis operations. Soft ground reduces the accuracy of seismic output and delays operations by slowing vehicles. In areas dominated by sabkha vibroseis sources may need to be replaced with explosive sources.

Satellite data was used extensively during this project providing an important input into the operating plans of the crew. For more information, click here.