Application of the synthetic aperture radar for monitoring activity and environmental parameters during oil-platform installation

The high risk of oil and gas exploration in the sea must expect a high-quality level of safety insurance to prevent environmental damage. This safety insurance can be supported and provided though satellite monitoring. In the period from 23 June to 5 July 2007, Sakhalin Energy Investment Company Ltd. completed the installation of the Piltun-Astokhskoye-B production platform topsides on the gravity base structure in the Piltun-Astokhskoye Field on the shelf to the northeast of Sakhalin Island. Operational monitoring of this event was based on acquisition of Envisat and Radarsat-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images and was aimed at monitoring ship activity, oil spills and environmental parameters (wind, waves and sea ice). By combining and providing the quasi-real-time information derived from SAR images, an accurate understanding of activity during the tow-out, positioning and installation, as well as environmental conditions, can be obtained in a cost-effective manner. This paper discusses the approach used and presents the results of this monitoring.