Study of the application of differential SAR interferometry for monitoring surface deformations in onshore oil fields

• Grant number: 22/05735-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2022
• End date: September 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geology
• Principal Investigator: Fabio Furlan Gama
• Grantee: Fabio Furlan Gama
• Host Institution: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Edison Crepani ; José Claudio Mura

Abstract

During the onshore oil exploration process, fluids are injected for the extraction of hydrocarbons, as a result of this technique there are changes in pore pressure and in the stress field both in the deep reservoir and in its surface coverage. These variations in pore tension or pressure cause strains, as well as activation of geological faults that can be observed through surface displacements. It is expected that differential interferometry SAR techniques (A-DINSAR) can monitor the spatio-temporal variation of deformations linked to hydrocarbon extraction processes, providing a synoptic and detailed view of the extraction area, complementing the in-situ and allowing measurement in areas where access is difficult or expensive. In this way, this research project seeks to verify the efficiency of the A-DInSAR techniques and the possible correlations with the lineaments and the extraction processes of the oil fields of the Potiguar Basin region (Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará), a region chosen for presenting great extension of oil wells in activity by different national companies. (AU)