LiDAR for the Oil and Gas Industry

LiDAR provides immense benefits to the oil and gas industry, especially for pipeline planning, and offers unique capabilities compared to traditional photogrammetry.

For example, accuracy in the range of tens of centimeters to one meter can usually be achieved. The elevation data is generated at thousands of points per second, resulting in elevation point densities greater than traditional ground survey methods. One hour of data collection can result in over 10,000,000 individually geo-referenced elevation points. LiDAR allows for extremely rapid rates of topographic data collection, resulting in fast data delivery.

As the old commercials used to ask, "Now how much would you pay?"

But wait - LiDAR outperforms traditional photogrammetry in these other areas:

• LiDAR sensors can be operated in any weather and at low sun angles that would prevent an aerial photography survey.
• Rural and remote areas can be surveyed easily and quickly because each XYZ point is individually geo-referenced, and aerial triangulation or orthorectification of data is not required.
• Photogrammetric methods for DTM generation are very time consuming and labor intensive compared to airborne laser mapping.
• While satisfactory results in zones with limited contrast, such as coasts, beaches, and wetlands, are difficult to achieve with traditional photogrammetry, lidar genare traditional generally gives good results in these areas.
• LiDAR performs well in forest areas where vegetation cover prevents visibility of the ground in aerial photographs.
• LiDAR is better for road, pipeline, or power line planning for narrow corridor mapping.
• LiDAR works well for open-pit mining operations where the final data is needed within a few hours of collection.