Satellite Imagery Application: An Experience In Environmental Sensitivity Index Mapping In Nigeria

Pre-planning for response to emergency, most often, dictates the degree of actual response success, within the region of 'certainty' in risk management. Contingency planning against oil spillage has been recognised as a vital tool in the oil spillage has been recognised as a vital tool in the oil industry. A number of inputs are necessary for an effective Contingency Planning. One of such inputs is the identification of priority areas to be protected or to be allowed only the minimum exposure in the event of a spillage. A modern tool for this prioritizing activity, which is constantly gaining patronage, is the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Mapping. Satellites have become invaluable sources of information for the indexing and classification purpose. They provide remotely sensed data which could otherwise be obtained at greater costs, at least, in time and money. This paper summarises the Elf Petroleum Nigeria's experience with satellite imagery application for environmental sensitivity indexing purposes. This includes the case studies of the NNPC/Elf OML's 57 (swamp), 58 (land) and 100 (offshore). It provides some background to the technology's data acquisition, and the dilemma of indexing. It is expected that the paper would serve educational and corporate purposes in the industry