Satellite images from the 10th and 11th September show that the oil leak is much closer from the East Timor coast than expected…
Over calm water, the radar signal shows up black and differenciation between oil and water is therefore difficult as is the case in the ENVISAT data from the 8th and 11th September. Having multiple observations resolves this issue.
A significant amount of oil from an oil and gas rig in the Timor Sea has been leaking since the 21st of August 2009.
Apogee has tasked multiple SAR satellites to obtain images over the disaster area since the 29th August. Radar satellites are the most efficient method to monitor large areas, and are well known to delineate the presence of oil on the ocean. This is due to the suppression of capillary waves resulting in a smoother surface where oil is present and a different appearance within the image.
On the 29th August 2009, a Cosmo-Skymed ScanSAR Wide data has been acquired and shows the extent of the oil spill.
Cosmo-skymed data intgrated into Apogee’s Maritime Surveillance Software DEEPBLUE showing the location of the oil spill.
On the 30th August 2009 , a TerraSAR-X ScanSAR image was acquired which clearly shows the extent of the oil spill around the rig.
Containment and recovery operation is underway and oil spill dispersants are being used over the area. The 3 colours on this ScanSAR image are the result of a classification process and show different oil concentration levels on the water.
Classification of oil concentration on the 30th August 2009.
