Environment

Satellite monitors offshore gas explosion in South China Sea

Overview of the research concept for sensing offshore OG platforms using SDGSAT-1. Credit: International Journal of Digital Earth (2024). DOI: 10.1080/17538947.2024.2441932

A study published in the International Journal of Digital Earth presents a new application of the Sustainable Development Science Satellite-1 (SDGSAT-1) to observe offshore oil and gas platforms. Researchers at the Institute of Aerospace Information (AIR), Chinese Academy of Sciences, are leveraging the advanced capabilities of SDGSAT-1’s Glimmer Imager (GLI) and Thermal Infrared Spectrometer (TIS) to monitor gas flaring activity in the South China Sea. I watched it.

Offshore oil and gas platforms are essential for energy production but pose significant environmental risks, particularly due to emissions from gas flaring. Monitoring these platforms across a large and dynamic ocean domain has been a long-standing challenge. This study addresses this issue by combining the visible light detection capabilities of the GLI with the thermal imaging of the TIS, providing a unique and synergistic approach to the operation of mapping platforms.

Researchers have developed an innovative algorithm that uses GLI’s pan and RGB (color mode) bands to detect the characteristic reddish starbursts associated with gas flares. This innovation produces clearer images of gas flares, which appear as large reddish clusters in RGB images, improving monitoring and understanding of these flare activity.

At the same time, TIS sensors captured high temperature anomalies and smoke plumes rising from the platform. This dual-sensing capability not only confirmed the presence of gas flares, but also provided additional insight into heat release from these platforms.

Using this approach, researchers identified 113 oil and gas platforms located within a complex marine environment of islands, ships, and other offshore facilities in the South China Sea. This is the first application of the nighttime visible band specifically for gas flare monitoring and highlights the potential of GLI RGB imagery for detecting industrial heat sources.

This study highlights SDGSAT-1’s ability to track offshore oil and gas platforms and refine platform inventories. The findings of this study support broader efforts to achieve zero routine flaring by 2030, aligning with global sustainability goals such as SDG 13 (climate action) and SDG 14 (life in water). Contribute to the initiative.

Further information: Yujia Qiu et al., “Synergy sensing of light and heat emitted from offshore oil and gas platforms in the South China Sea,” International Journal of Digital Earth (2024). DOI: 10.1080/17538947.2024.2441932

Provided by Chinese Academy of Sciences

Source: Satellite monitors offshore gas flaring in South China Sea (January 20, 2025) from https://phys.org/news/2025-01-satellite-offshore-gas-flaring-south.html January 2025 Retrieved on 20th

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