Snow Season Ahead

• General

Snow Season Ahead

Satelytics works in all seasons.

Précis
  • Problem: Monitor w/ snow background.
  • Solution: Spectral signatures don't care.
  • Benefit: Monitor in all seasons.

A frequently asked question this time of year is, “Does it work with snow on the ground?” Whether it's methane measurement, liquid leak detection, encroachments, or change detection, the answer is yes. Our algorithms are designed to perform in these conditions, and here's how.

Snow blankets the ground for part of the year in northern latitudes and higher elevations. This turns a colorful landscape white, or in urban areas, a mix of white and gray, termed "snirt." While snow isn't usually damaging to infrastructure, it indicates environmental shifts that induce risk to energy assets. Cold can affect metal and plastic components, leading to methane releases or liquid leaks when pipelines or equipment fail.

Produced water leak detected against a snowy background.

Produced water leak detected against a snowy background.

Satelytics has been processing winter imagery over snowy areas for years. A standout success is in the Bakken basin, where we monitor liquid leaks, encroachments, land movement, and methane weekly. A uniform white background often enhances the accuracy of our algorithms, as it can amplify the reflective signature of constituents. This includes our methane algorithms, where plumes are detected over snow-covered infrastructure.

Global Methane™ measurements over snow.

Global Methane™ measurements over snow.

Snow can also pose a challenge if the constituent of interest is beneath it, particularly for liquid leaks. Deep snow can obscure spectral signatures, a common challenge for passive measurement techniques. However, produced water or liquid hydrocarbon leaks typically melt the snow above, revealing the spectral signature. Our algorithms have successfully identified leaks as small as a few square feet.

When cold and snow put your infrastructure at risk, Satelytics offers an additional layer of protection, enhancing risk mitigation and reputation management. Reach out to us today to explore how we can help you monitor all of your assets year-round.

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