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construction signEach Bercha Group project is preceded by its project number. Although the work carried out for many of the projects spans a number of years, most are listed according to project number.

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Projects will be updated on an ongoing basis.  When first added, new projects will be indicated as shown: 

Projects that are currently underway are indicated "ongoing" as shown: 

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2008

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R2807

 

CLUBROOT

CLIENT: Enbridge    DATE: 2008

DESCRIPTION:  The project was a combined risk and geomatics project involving the development of methodologies for the detection of clubroot infected canola fields. The primary application of the detection is the protection of uninfected fields from possible transmission of infected soils through pipeline construction machinery movements along the pipeline route. Back to Geomatics - Selected

R2805

ICETECH 2008 International Conference and Exhibition Wrap Up
CLIENT: n/a    DATE: July 20-23, 2008
( see also R2615)

DESCRIPTION: Dr. Bercha chaired the Organizing Committee for ICETECH 2008. The conference positively exceeded expectations with over 175 delegates attending, full sponsor and exhibitor subscription, over 50 technical papers presented, and an exciting social and accompanying persons program. The technical program, the events, the setting, and the attendees made it a very enjoyable and technically sound event! The technical program each day began with two plenary papers, including: the changing Arctic; evolution of offshore safety regulations and practices; naval architecture developments for the Arctic; escape, evacuation, and rescue (EER); and current major offshore Arctic projects and developments. Workshops on EER and Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment (AMSA) rounded out the technical program. ICETECH 2010 will be held in Alaska – watch for the new website (www.icetech10.org).
ICETECH 08 Post-Conference Proceedings are available in CD format. Please visit www.icetech08.org or contact the Bercha Group for ordering information.

2007

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R2615

ICETECH 2008 International Conference and Exhibition on Performance of Ships and Structures in Ice
CLIENT: Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineerrs (SNAME)    DATE: July 20-23, 2008 
(see also R2805)

DESCRIPTION: ICETECH-08 took place July 20-23, 2008 in Banff, Alberta, Canada. Dr. Bercha again chaired the Organizi
ng Committee for this international conference and exhibition on performance of ships and structures in ice. Conference website: www.icetech08.org.

2005

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R2502

High Consequence Areas Identification and Ranking
CLIENT:  Confidential Client
,
Bogotá, Colombia          DATE: 2005

DESCRIPTION:  In risk assessment two principal aspects are addressed - the probability of occurrence and the magnitude of adverse consequences of an undesired event such as an oil spill. Regardless of probability of occurrence, if the consequences are high, such as multiple fatalities, the location where this can happen is termed a High Consequence Area (HCA). The client has undertaken to identify all such areas along its pipeline in order to undertake mitigation of these high consequences through appropriate mitigation methods. In this study, the following principal areas are addressed:

     - A working definition of HCAs is developed

     - A methodology for identification of the HCAs is defined

     - An identification of HCAs for the pipeline is conducted

     - Approaches to HCA mitigation are developed           Back to Geomatics - Selected

Figure 1: HCAs were identified in the study area, utilizing maps, census information, and other data.

Figure 2: Possible adverse impacts to population, environment, and commercial navigation were considered in relation to the study area.

 

2003

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R2315

ICETECH-06 International Conference and Exhibition
CLIENT: Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME)    DATE: July 16-19, 2006
DESCRIPTION: Dr. Bercha chaired the Organizing Committee for ICETECH 2006, an international conference and exhibition on performance of ships and structures in ice, held in Banff, Alberta, Canada, July 16-19, 2006. The theme and subject areas of the conference complemented and derived impetus from the current rapid growth of development and associated resurging interest in oil and gas exploration and production in Arctic offshore regions.   

2000

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R2003 Airborne Laser Topographic Mapping System
National Petroleum Company, Tehran, Iran
R2002 Military SAR and High Resolution Imaging System Development
Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka
1999

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R9904 Risk Assessment of Alternative Road Routes to Lethbridge Water Treatment Plant
CLIENT: Reid Crowther & Partners Ltd.       DATE: 1999 
DESCRIPTION: A risk assessment for alternative routings for hazardous chemical carrying trucks accessing the Lethbridge Water Treatment Plant was conducted.  The assessment included evaluation of low and high-speed intersections, park roads, urban roads, and a turnoff ramp from Whoop-Up road. 
R9902 Airborne SAR Surveillance System Design and Specification
For Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka, with Kelowna Flightcraft Ltd.
1998

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R9803 Airborne Laser Route Topographic Mapping System Design and Specification
ATRAK Energy Limited
R9802 Detailed Design and Specification of Aerial Multi-Purpose Surveillance System for Malaysian Government
Mofaz Group, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1997

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R9709 Preliminary Design of Maritime Airborne Surveillance Program for Malaysian Exclusive Economic Zone
Malaysian Department of the Environment
R9703 Interpretation of ERS-1 Images
Amoco Worldwide Engineering and Construction Ltd.
Houston, TX, USA
R9701 SPOT Image Mapping, N.W.T.
Ranger Oil Ltd.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
1996

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R9604 Digitizing and Conversion of Survey and Map Coordinates
Chauvco Resources Ltd.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
R9602 ERS-1 and Landsat Thematic Mapper Image Mapping
Komex International Inc.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
R9601 Conversion Of Digital Elevation Data Formats
Canadian Occidental Petroleum Ltd.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
1995

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R9515 Licensing, Support and Training For ERMapper Software
Various Clients
R9514 Conversion Of ERS-1 Image Formats
Komex International Inc.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
R9511 Digitising and Conversion Of Map Coordinates
Chauvco Resources Ltd.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
R9507 SPOT Image Mapping, Algeria
PetroCanada Resources Ltd.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
R9503 Feasibility Study For Remote Sensing Environmental Monitoring Of Pipeline Rights-of-Way
National Energy Board
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
R9502 Conversion Of Survey and Map Data For Input To ARGUS Mapping System
Chauvco Resources Ltd.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
1994

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R9425 SPOT Multispectral Image Deskewing
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
R9424 Landsat TM and SPOT Panchromatic Image Mapping for Libya
PanCanadian Petroleum Ltd.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
R9423 Airborne SAR Image Processing and Mapping
United Nations Development Programme
Georgetown, Guyana
R9422 Kara Sea Russian SLAR Image Processing and Ice Interpretation
Amoco Petroleum Co. Ltd.
Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
R9420 SPOT Panchromatic Image Mapping of Northern B.C.
Norcen Resources Ltd.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
R9419 Landsat Thematic Mapper and SPOT Panchromatic Image Mapping of Turkey
Chauvco Resources Ltd.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
R9418 SPOT Panchromatic Image Mapping of the Slave Lake Area, Alberta
Morgan Hydrocarbons
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
R9414 Image Processing of Northumberland Strait Crossing
Geomatic Technologies Inc.
St. John's, Newfoundland
R9413 Russian SLAR and ERS-1 Image Processing of Pechora Sea, Russia
Amoco Petroleum Ltd.
Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
R9412 Landsat TM Image Mapping of the Chinchaga Area, Alberta
Amoco Canada Petroleum Co. Ltd.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
R9411 SPOT Panchromatic Image Mapping of Nacunen, Argentina
Norcen Resources Ltd.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
R9407 Remote Sensing for Geology Workshop
Canadian Sedimentary and Petroleum Geologists Conference
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
R9404 Landsat TM Image Mapping and Geological Interpretation of Blackfoot, Montana
Numac Petroleum Ltd.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
R9402 Landsat MSS Image Mapping of Lacombe County, Alberta
LR Olson and Associated, Ltd.
Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada
1993  

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R9332 SPOT Panchromatic Image Mapping of Lago Pellegrini Este, Argentina
Chauvco Resources Ltd.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
R9331 SPOT Panchromatic Image Processing and Mapping of the Covunco Block, Argentina
Alberta Energy Company
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
R9323 Landsat MSS Image Processing and Mosaicking of Benin
ABACAN
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
R9322 SPOT Panchromatic Image Processing and Mapping of Neuquen, Argentina
Chauvco Resources Ltd.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
R9318

Seminar on Remote Sensing Project Management and Applications for Environmental Monitoring
Caracas, Venezuela                                           Date completed: November 1993
Canadian International Development Agency

DESCRIPTION:  The Bercha Group formulated curriculum, produced a manual, and conducted a technical seminar in Caracas, Venezuela as part of a Public Safety and Environmental Risk Management seminar series conducted in association with Geoexpert C.A. of Caracas. The three-day technical seminar covered a wide range of subjects, including: an introduction to remote sensing, general examples for environmental monitoring, sensor systems and airborne acquisition platforms, satellite sensors, manual interpretation, digital image processing, methods of map production from remotely sensed imagery, and applications to environmental monitoring. Although conducted in English, simultaneous translation occurred during the seminar, and seminar materials were available in both Spanish (Figure 1) and English.
The general objectives of this seminar were to provide managers, administrators, and other decision makers with a general understanding of the principals and applications of remote sensing with emphasis on environmental monitoring so that they can apply this understanding of remote sensing and its capabilities in support of management decisions. To achieve this general objective, the seminar focused on facilitating participants' understanding in the 10 key areas shown in Figure 2. An environmental monitoring example from the seminar is shown in Figure 3.  Back to Geomatics - Selected

Figure 1: Spanish cover

SERIE DE SEMINARIOS

SEGURIDAD PUBLICA Y MANEJO DEL RIESGO AMBIENTAL

CARACAS, VENEZUELA

 

SEMINARIO TECNICO 1B

APLICACIONES DE LA PERCEPCION REMOTA

AL MONITOREO AMBIENTAL

 

 

POR

 

BERCHA GROUP

CALGARY, CANADA

 

EN ASOCIACION CON

GEOEXPERT C.A.

CARACAS, VENEZUELA

 

NOVIEMBRE 1993

The Seminar's Specific Objectives
1. Understanding of the applications of remote sensing for environmental monitoring.
2. An assessment of the capabilities of remote sensing to determine whether or not it can assist in specific problems or applications in environmental monitoring.
3. Ability to plan a remote sensing project for a specific application.
4. Familiarity with standard remote sensing technology.
5. Understanding the differences among remote sensing, GIS, and classical photogrammetry.
6. an appreciation of the types, formats, precisions, and accuracies of information recorded by remote sensing systems.
7. General understanding of what satellite systems are available for different applications.
8. Familiarity with the principles of manual and digital image interpretation to obtain information from remote sensing images.
9. An understanding of digital processing techniques which are available for the extraction of information from remote sensing data.
10. An understanding of the important parameters such as cost, schedule, regional as opposed to detailed coverage, resolution, precision, and accuracy considered in the development of an application-specific remote sensing program.

Figure 2: Ten Key Areas

Figure 3: Seminar example

(Click on image for enlarged view)

 

R9317 Vegetation Change Detection using LANDSAT MSS Imagery in the Cold Lake Region, Alberta
Amoco Canada Petroleum Co. Ltd.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
R9309 Thematic Mapper Image Processing, Tunisia
Wascana Resources Limited
R9308 Satellite Data and SAR Processing for Mineras Estratos
E. Valero, Venezuela
R9305 Satellite Data and SAR Processing for Marawani Concession
Organization Cisneros, Venezuela

R9303

.01

Risk Based Siting and Permitting of Hazardous Energy Related Facilities
CLIENT: County of Santa Barbara, California Utilities Commission       DATE: 1993-1994 
DESCRIPTION: The objective of this study was to develop the basis for a policy on application of risk analysis in the siting and permitting of hazardous energy related facilities in the County of Santa Barbara.  General classes of facilities considered explicitly were oil and gas, automotive fuel, and electrical facilities.  Only acute or immediate risks as opposed to chronic or long term risks were included in the scope of work.
Fundamentals of risk analysis were reviewed to establish a basis and terminology for the balance of the work. The general procedures for implementing risk considerations in the planning process were then described. 
Results from a review of the general types of hazardous energy related facilities which exist or may exist in the near future in the County of Santa Barbara included: 
        a) classification of the facilities into oil and gas, automotive fuel, and electrical categories and sub-categories such 
            as gasoline, compressed natural gas, methanol, and ethanol stations in the automotive fuel category. 
        b) a brief description of the relative hazardousness of the principal substances handled by the facilities. 
        c) a general description and summary of the hazards associated with each type of facility. 
        d) a review of both US and worldwide guidelines and regulations designed to manage acute risks to the public. 
        e) a discussion of the role of risk analysis in the context of the planning processes for the County of Santa Barbara. 
        f) specific recommendations for the implementation of the results from this work. 
1992

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R9234 SPOT Panchromatic Image Mapping
PanCanadian Petroleum Limited
R9232 Oil Field Mapping with High Resolution SPOT Imagery
Chauvco Resources Limited
R9229 Development of Algorithms for the Interpretation of Digital Radar Imagery
National Research Council of Canada
R9223 Satellite Data of SAR Processing for Rio Icabaru Concession
H.I. Gibelli, Venezuela
R9222 SPOT Image Mapping, Alliance, Alberta
PanCanadian Petroleum Limited
R9220 Rio Icabaru SAR Survey
Golden Star Resources
R9217 Digital Analysis of Multiband Data for Sumatra
Asamera and Gulf Canada
R9216 Stereo SPOT DEM Development and Processing
Canadian Occidental Petroleum Limited
R9211 Analysis of TM Data for Sumatra Geology
Bow Valley Resources
R9207 Detection of Oil Seepage Using Satellite Data
Canadian Occidental Petroleum Limited
R9204 Identification of Burrowing Owl Habitat Risk in Southern Alberta Using Landsat TM Imagery: A Preliminary Investigation with GIS
Canadian Wildlife Service
1991

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R9118

SAREX-92 SAR Data Acquisition and Processing
European Space Agency              Date completed: January 1993

DESCRIPTION: In October of 1991, The Bercha Group with principal subcontractor Innotech Aviation Limited, was awarded ESTEC Contract No. 9643/91/NL/S2, entitled “Technical Support for the Implementation of the SAREX-92 Campaign”.
      The work under this contract entailed a preparatory and planning phase, an airborne data acquisition phase, and a post-flight phase dedicated to documentation and data processing. This work was carried out between November 1st, 1991, and October 15th, 1992.
     The planning phase involved specification of target areas, flight planning, permits and clearances, and administration for logistic provisions. SAREX-92 data acquisition involved the Convair 580 equipped with the C/X SAR instrument (Figure 1a), and flights over test sites in Venezuela, Guyana, French Guiana, Brazil, Colombia and Costa Rica (Figure 2). Mobilization took place from Ottawa on April 1st, 1992, and after a successful data acquisition program the aircraft returned to Ottawa on May 3rd, 1992. In addition to the SAREX-92 program funded by ESA, some data acquisition was undertaken for CCRS in Brazil, Costa Rica and Guyana.
      The data processing phase involved preparation of documentation, the transcription of the high density digital tapes (HDDTs) (Figure 3) to Exabyte computer compatible tape, slant to ground range and radiometric rectification, and production of image tapes and hard copy images. This phase of the program was carried out between May 1992 and October 1992.
      Figure 4 illustrates the operational configuration of the aircraft and image swath. Figure 5 shows a sample SAR image.
 Back to Geomatics - Selected

Figure 1a: Convair 580 equipped with the C/X SAR instrument

Figure 1b: Cockpit of Convair 580

Figure 2: Area Map

(Click on image to enlarge)

Figure 3: The system used for SAREX was capable of recording full resolution, full swath images in 8 bit format on high density digital tape (HDDT). The HDDT console is shown here

Figure 4: Illustration of the operational configuration of the aircraft and image swath. The system has the capability to obtain imagery utilizing both X- and C-band radiation. (Click on image to enlarge)

Figure 5: Sample high resolution C-Band SAR image

R9115 Wildlife Habitat Classification for GIS Analysis
Canadian Wildlife Service
R9109 Integration and Processing of Satellite Gravity and Magnetic Data for Offshore Prospect Evaluation
Canadian Occidental Petroleum Limited
R9108 Landsat TM Image Interpretation: British Columbia
Conoco Canada Ltd.
R9106 SLAR Ice Image Data Management System Software Development
Amoco Canada Ltd.
R9105 Course on Applications of Remote Sensing to Geology
Petro-Canada Resources Ltd.
1990

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R9023 Feasibility Evaluation of Developing a Processing Capability for Improved SLAR Resolution
National Research Council of Canada
R9020 Remote Sensing Consulting Services
Gulf Canada Resources Ltd.
R9012 Environmental Impact Assessment for Proposed Expansion of the Alberta Special Wastes Treatment Centre
CLIENT: Alberta Special Waste Management Corporation       DATE: 1990/91 
DESCRIPTION: Previous projects, PA8519, PA8420, PA8410, and PA8008 all involved various risk analyses which were carried out for different Government of Alberta departments to support the program being developed to treat hazardous wastes within the province.  The above referenced project, PA9012, was a continuation of the previous risk assessment work and was required to support an EIA for a proposed expansion of the existing waste treatment centre.  Special or hazardous wastes are collected from generators throughout the province and transported directly or through transfer stations to the treatment centre located in Swan Hills, Alberta.  The proposed expansion involved a substantial increase in the volume of hazardous wastes being transported on Alberta roadways and therefore a revised transportation risk assessment was included in the proposal EIA.  In addition to the accident and spill analyses, consequence analysis of potential spills of hazardous wastes for both the public and environment were included in the scope of work.  Risks associated with the existing operation were compared to those estimated for future operations of an expanded facility.  Results from the risk assessment were published in the EIA documents and then were presented and defended during public hearings. 
R9011

Risk Assessment for an Environmental Clean-Up Study of 21 Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line Sites in Canada
CLIENT: Canadian Commercial Corporation, on behalf of The United States Air Force       DATE: 1990/91 
DESCRIPTION: As part of the 1985 agreement between Canada and the United States to modernize the North American Air Defence System, the DEW Line System is being replaced by the North Warning System.  An environmental clean-up study of the 21 DEW Line Sites was commissioned in order to identify and investigate areas impacted by past waste disposal and spills and to determine and evaluate alternatives for the disposal of waste and remediation of spill areas.  A baseline risk assessment was carried out to document the magnitude of potential health and environmental risks at each of the 21 DEW Line sites and to provide a site specific quantification of risks to provide the basis for developing cleanup strategies. The baseline risk assessment methodology was based on that developed by the U.S. E.P.A. in their Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund. The results of the baseline risk assessment were quantitative and qualitative characterizations of risk based on site specific exposure and toxicity assessments.  Both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were characterized for each contaminant at each site.  Non-carcinogenic hazard quotients were estimated to compare the level of site contamination to the potential hazard level.  Finally, carcinogenic risk was estimated in terms of the incremental probability of an individual developing cancer over a lifetime as a result of exposure to the site. 
Back to Geomatics - Selected

Figure 1: DEW Line station

Figure 2: Workers clean-up a DEW line site. The clean-up of all the sites will last from 1996-2013.

Photo courtesy of: http://www.dcc-cdc.gc.ca

R9004 Landsat TM Interpretation in Papua New Guinea
Canadian Occidental Ltd., Calgary
R9002 SLAR Ice Surveillance Service for the Beaufort Sea
Canadian Marine Drilling Ltd.

Figure 1: The SLAR system was installed in a Metro II aircraft, such as the one shown here.

Figure 2: Bercha SLAR system in Metro II used for R9002.

R9001 Earth Remote Sensing Marketing Strategy Study
Department of Regional Industrial Expansion
Government of Canada
1989

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R8914 Multisensor System Development for Aquifer Detection
Dow Chemicals
R8913 SPOT and SLAR Geologic Interpretation in Sabah
Phoenix Resources, Malaysia
R8909 Quality Control Criteria for SAR Ice Imagery
Atmospheric Environment Services
The Bercha Group was actively involved in ice reconnaissance for the Government of Canada.
R8906 SB-8 SAR Interpretation
Sun Malaysia Petroleum Company, Malaysia
R8904 Sarawak SK-12 SAR Quality Control
Offshore Petroleum and Investment Corp., Malaysia
R8901 U.S. Beaufort SLAR Ice Surveillance
Arco Alaska
1988

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R8825 Airborne Forest Inventory Sensing System and Software
National Research Council
R8824 Canadian Project Preparation Facility for Laser Topographic Mapping Applications
Canadian International Development Agency
R8823 Forestry Laser Data Acquisition
Institute for Technology Development (NASA)
R8822 Remote Sensing Training Program
Government of Alberta
R8814 Specialized Remote Sensing and Geophysical Training and Technology Transfer Program
Directorate General of Mineral Resources, Govt. of Indonesia
R8810 Interpretation of Barents Sea SAR Ice Imagery
Mobil Exploration Norway Inc.
R8809 Acquisition of Sea Ice SAR Data for the Barents Sea
Mobil Exploration Norway Inc.
R8808 Sea Ice SAR Signature Analysis and Interpretation Manual
Atmospheric Environment Service, Dept. of Supply and Services
R8806 Acquisition and Interpretation of High Resolution SAR Data for Northumberland Strait
Public Works Canada
R8804 Northumberland Strait Photographic Data Interpretation
Public Works Canada
1987

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R8714 Airborne Laser System for Forest Mapping
Industrial & Regional Development Program
Government of Canada
R8708 IRAP-M: Software Development for Airborne Lasers
Canadian National Research Council
R8702 Feasibility Study for Laser Topographic Mapping
Canadian International Development Agency
1986

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R8605 Provision of SAR Sensor Operators, 1986-1991
Dept. of Energy, Mines and Resources
R8603 SAR Operations - CV580
Energy, Mines and Resources
1985

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R8512 Scientific and Technical Support for the Definition of Mission Requirements for a Satellite Equipped with a Synthetic Aperture Radar (RADARSAT)
The Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, Dept. of Energy, Mines and Resources
R8510 Davis Strait, SLAR Survey
British Petroleum Resources
R8507 IRAP-M: Investigation of an Airborne Passive Radar Discriminator
Canadian National Research Council
R8504 SLAR Survey
British Petroleum Resources
R8503 Drew Point SLAR Imagery
D.F. Dickins Associates Ltd.
R8502 Airborne Laser Mapping Pilot Project
Government of Indonesia
R8501 Airborne SLAR Surveillance Service - East Coast
Joint Industry Project: Participants: Husky/Bow Valley, Mobil Canada, Petro-Canada

The Gulfstream-1 aircraft equipped with a Motorola Side Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR). The aircraft and system was used in many Bercha Group geomatics projects, including R8501.
1984

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R8421 Evaluation of the Technology for Detecting Small Objects at Sea: Airborne Sensor Platform
Ministry of Transport
R8418 Latitude Longitude Digitization
Husky/Bow Valley East Coast Project
R8412 Assemble, Integrate and Flight Test a Marine Mammal Remote Sensing System for a DH6 Twin Otter
Fisheries and Oceans, Supply and Services Canada
R8411 Evaluation of Aerial Remote Sensing as an Environmental Monitoring Technique for Pipeline Corridors
NOVA, An Alberta Corporation
R8410 Pipeline SLAR Survey in South Australia
South Australia Department of the Environment
R8409 1984 Aerial Reconnaissance Study for the Hibernia Development Project
Mobil Oil Canada, Ltd.
R8408 Scientific and Technical Support for the Definition of Mission Requirements for a Satellite Equipped with a Synthetic Aperture Radar (RADARSAT)
The Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, Dept. of Energy, Mines and Resources
R8407 The Influence of Ice on the Reliability of Production Systems in the Hibernia Oil Field
CLIENT: Petroleum Directorate - Government of Newfoundland and Labrador       DATE: 1984 
DESCRIPTION: The investigation of the effect of ice on the reliability of proposed Hibernia production systems included identification of ice parameters which are significant determinants of system design criteria and evaluation of the effects on system reliability resulting from uncertain estimates of ice parameters and ice loadings.  Risk analytic methodologies were developed and applied in the risk and reliability analysis of an example floating production system. 
R8406 Ice Processes Analysis - Mizex 1983
U.S. Department of the Navy
R8405 Marine Radar Program Support
Viatech Resources Systems Inc.
R8403 Iceberg Aerial Reconnaissance Data Analysis
Mobil Oil Canada Ltd.
R8402 An Investigation of Remote Sensing Equipment for Chronic Oil Discharges
Environment Canada
R8401

Airborne SLAR Surveillance Service - East Coast
Husky/Bow Valley East Coast Project                      Date completed: October 1984

DESCRIPTION: Bercha Group (Bercha) was contracted by Husky/Bow Valley (H/BV) to provide an ice and iceberg surveillance program in support of offshore drilling activities in the Hibernia area (Figure 1) during 1984. This was the first commercial ice and iceberg operational surveillance program in the area. The program extended from February 8 to June 30. During that period, 61 missions were successfully flown in the study area. The principal objective of the project was to determine the location of the ice edge and icebergs in the study and relay this information to H/BV in a timely and efficient manner (Figure 2).
Over 45 000 nm were flown by Bercha during the operational period and literally thousands of targets were detected. Comparison with ground truthing data has shown that some of the targets routinely detected by the Bercha team were growlers as small as 5 x 7 m. Scientifically, icebergs and other targets such as ships, buoy anchors, supply vessels and rigs were discriminated at a minimum of a 90% confidence level. From an operational point of view, the G-1 and SLAR proved their reliability and effectiveness as an operational support service. From an equipment point of view, the SLAR proved its reliability beyond any question. In the course of 61 flights, only 1 flight was cancelled due to equipment problems. SLAR more than adequately demonstrated its ability to perform on an around-the-clock basis, day or night, and under a variety of weather conditions. In several instances, the Bercha aircraft was the only airborne source of information as all other aircraft were grounded. This was due not only to the aircraft capability but also to the dedication of the aircrew and their ability to fly under marginal conditions.
      Due to the positional accuracy of the SLAR integrated with the aircraft horizontal systems, positioning of icebergs, bergy bits and growlers was available with only minimal error. Reliability of the equipment and dedication on the part of the crew reduced the SLAR downtime to a negligible amount. All-weather capability resulted in an on-call 24-hour operation. In summary, this first year of ice and iceberg surveillance was unquestionably successful. Confidence was developed in the MARS G-1 and SLAR system, the data product, and the logistics and communications network of a real-time operation.
Back to Geomatics - Selected

Figure 1: Map of Study Area
(Click on image to view enlargement)
Figure 2: Sample Study Results
(Click on image to view enlargement)
1983

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R8321 Directional Wave Spectra Intercomparisons
Environmental Studies Revolving Funds (COGLA)
R8319 Compilation of Ice Floe Velocities, Pack Ice Motion, Breakout Events, Multi-Year Ice Fraction, and Ice Edge Locations in the Chukchi Sea
Joint Industry Project: Participants: Amoco, Arco, Chevron, Exxon, Mobil, Phillips, Shell, Sohio, Texaco, Union
R8318 Assessment of Airborne Imaging Radars - Phase II
Environmental Studies Revolving Funds (COGLA)
R8316

Development of a System for Application of Remote Sensing Technology and Data to the Estimation of Arctic Marine Mammal Populations and Distribution
Freshwater Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Government of Canada   Date completed: March 1984

DESCRIPTION: This was a two-phase study directed at investigation of remote sensing equipment and techniques suited for Arctic marine mammal studies was conducted for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Western Office. In Phase I, current and future airborne and satellite remote sensing methods suitable for marine mammal surveys were reviewed and the capabilities of each system assessed. Manufacturers of remote sensing equipment were contacted and sensors displaying suitable resolution, operating specifications and capabilities were enumerated. Detection of marine mammals was classified into three levels; direct detection of actual mammals, indirect detection of features indicating mammal presence, and habitat identification. Each sensor capability for detection and identification of marine mammals was assessed, and the results were quantified through a sensor capability matrix. Aerial survey equipment and satellite sensor capabilities were examined for indirect and habitat detection and identification. Additionally, Phase I addressed availability of data, characteristics of platforms and ancillary hardware such as annotation systems and navigation equipment. Suitable systems were presented for further study. A map showing the study area is shown in Figure 1.
      Phase II involved development of an optimal survey system design, including definition of optimal remote sensing systems, design of tests for reliability and system capability, and definition of areas for further research and development.
      Image samples from the imaging systems considered are shown for SLAR (Figure 2), SAR (Figure 3), NOAA (Figure 4), and LANDSAT (Figure 5).

Back to Geomatics - Selected

Figure 1: Map of Study Area
(Click on image for enlarged view)

Figure 2: Side-Looking Real-Aperture Imaging Radar (SLAR) image – Each 25 km wide swath shown is imaged on either side of the aircraft with a ‘delay’ zone underneath the aircraft of 5-10 km either side of the flightline. In this example, ice information such as concentration, and water features such as poynyas and leads are clearly evident.


(Click on image for enlargement)

Figure 3: Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) – Provides high-quality ice data, particularly on small ice features such as ice fragments, streamers and bands. This figure illustrates an area of highly fragmented ice in the Labrador Sea, imaged by SAR, in which the data are digitally recorded, then processed onto positive film. This is a one-look system, imaging on one side of the plane only. (Click on image for enlarged view)

Figure 4: National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite data source. Example of a NOAA satellite image recorded in the visible wavelength. As the visible wavebands are used, cloud and fog will be imaged as shown in the example over the darker, open water areas. The 1.1 km resolution of NOAA imagery restricts its usefulness in marine mammal investigations to general habitat data (Uses 2,400 km wide swath.). (Click on image for enlargement)

Figure 5: LANDSAT satellite image – Illustrated is a LANDSAT multispectral scanner (MSS) image. The resolution restricts it to providing general habitat information only. (Uses a 186 km swath.)
(Click on image for enlargement)
 

R8313 South Beaufort Sea Pack Ice Edge, SLAR Investigation
Joint Industry Project: Participants: Amoco Production Company, Mobil Exploration & Production Services, Shell Development Company, Sohio Petroleum Company
R8312 Investigation of Summer Pack Ice Invasion in the South Beaufort Sea - 1983
Joint Industry Project: Participants: Amoco, Mobil, Shell, Sohio
R8310 Compilation of Ice Floe Velocities and Edge Locations and their Relationship to Surface Weather Patterns in the Navarin Basin, Bering Sea
Joint Industry Project: Participants: Amoco, Chevron, Exxon, Mobil, Phillips, Shell, Sohio
R8305 Scientific and Technical Support for the Definition of Mission Requirements for a Satellite Equipped with a Synthetic Aperture Radar (RADARSAT)
The Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, Dept. of Energy, Mines and Resources
R8302 Mizex Airborne Data Acquisition Optimization
Joint Industry Project: Participants: Arco, Chevron, Sohio
R8301 SLAR Ice Surveillance - Beaufort Sea Drilling Operations
Canadian Marine Drilling Limited
1982

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R8217 Ice Floe Velocity and Edge Locations - Norton Sound, Bering Sea
Exxon Company, USA
R8216 Flaxman - West Harrison SLAR Freeze-up Survey
Exxon Company, USA
R8214 Arctic Basin Ice Morphology SLAR Investigation
Panarctic Oils
R8211 Operational Winter Ice Forecast Model
Canadian Marine Drilling Ltd.
R8210 SLAR Investigation of Chukchi Sea Ice Dynamics and Morphology
Joint Industry Project: Participants: Amoco, Chevron, Sohio
R8209 Beaufort Sea 1982 SLAR Ice Break-up Dynamics and Morphology
Joint Industry Project: Participants: Arco Oil & Gas, Shell, Sohio
R8208 SLAR Aerial Support of South Beaufort Sea Drilling Operations Through Aerial Support, UHF Downlink, and Field Interpretation
Canadian Marine Drilling Ltd
R8207 Micro-Densitometric Decomposition of SLAR Imagery for Evaluation of Ice Cover Morphological Properties
Lapp and Associates Limited
R8206 SLAR Investigation of Chukchi Sea Ice Dynamics and Morphology
Alaska Oil and Gas Operators Association
R8205 Investigation of Multi-Sensor Marine Ice Relief in the Bering Sea and Areas Around Prince Patrick Island
Atmospheric Environment Service, Dept. of the Environment
R8204 Analysis of Enhanced LANDSAT Imagery for Resource Management in Ghana
Wordrup, Delowitte, Haskins, and Associates
R8203 Remote Sensor Information for Resource Management Applications
Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, Dept. of Energy, Mines, and Resources
R8202 Acquisition of Side-Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR) of Wabamun Lake, Alberta
Monenco Consultants
R8201 Provision of Real-Time SLAR Support to South Beaufort Sea Drillships
Canadian Marine Drilling Limited
1981

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R8122 Preliminary Assessment of a Proposal to Establish an International Satellite Monitoring System Under United Nations Auspices
Department of External Affairs
R8120 Study of Airborne Remote Sensing Requirements and Packages Applicable to Canadian Needs for Oil Spill Detection and Surveillance
Environment Canada
R8117 Quantification and Analysis of Ice SLAR Signature Characteristics
Environment Canada, Ice Forecasting Centre
R8116 Acquisition and Interpretation of SLAR Ice Imagery Along the South Beaufort Sea Polar Ice Pack Edge
Mobil Oil Corporation
R8115 Scientific and Technical Support for the Definition of Mission Requirements for a Satellite Equipped with a Synthetic Aperture Radar (RADARSAT)
The Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, Dept. of Energy, Mines, and Resources
R8112 Acquisition, Interpretation, and Analysis of Katy's Floeberg SLAR Imagery
Gulf Canada Resources Inc.
R8111 Analogue/Digital Conversion of Laser Records of Ice Relief Profiles
Berok Systems Limited
R8108 Interpretation of SLAR Ice Imagery for the Norton Sound Area
Joint Industry Project
R8107 Ice Concentration Quantification at Canmar Drillsites
Canadian Marine Drilling Ltd.
R8106 Evaluation of Ice Cover Seasonal Variations in South Beaufort Sea Drillsites on the Basis of SLAR and Satellite Imagery
Canadian Marine Drilling Ltd.
R8105 Sea Ice SAR and Aerial Photographic Reconnaissance in the Hibernia Area
Mobil Canada Limited
R8104 Remote Sensing Multi-Sensor Environmental Monitoring Program of Foothills Pipe Line Right-of-Ways in B.C. and Yukon (MSS-TIR-FCIR Colour)
Foothills Pipe Lines (Yukon) Limited
R8103 SLAR Aerial Support of South Beaufort Sea Drilling Operations
Canadian Marine Drilling Ltd.
R8102 Comparison of SLAR Imagery of the Nearshore Alaska Coastline with Corresponding Aerial Photography for Microwave Signatures of Sea Ice
Atmospheric Environment Service, Environment Canada
R8101 Snow Cover LANDSAT Imagery, Alpine Ski Area Evaluation
Travel Alberta
1980

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R8020 Acquisition and Interpretation of SLAR Ice Imagery in the Bering Sea Area
Joint Industry Project: Participants: Amoco, Arco, Exxon, Mobil, Phillips
R8015 SLAR Imagery Acquisition and Interpretation of the Yukon Delta
Amoco Production Company
R8012 Labrador Sea Ice Information Compilation and Review
Petro-Canada Resources
R8010 Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement - Preparation for Alberta Oilsands Extraction Plant
McLeay Geological Services Limited
R8009

Acquisition and Interpretation of SLAR Ice Imagery in the Prudhoe Bay Area
Joint Industry Project: Participants: Arco, Chevron, Exxon, Mobil, Phillips, Sohio     Date completed: March 1981

DESCRIPTION:  An aerial remote sensing, interpretation, and analysis program was carried out in order to generate information on ice break-up in the Prudhoe Bay area (Figure 1) in the Spring of 1980. The acquisition program consisted of the utilization of SLAR and aerial cameras for the acquisition of strategic imagery in the study area. Ancillary programs were included for groundtruthing, visual aerial observation by expert observers, and 35 mm photography. The SLAR overflight program consisted of a series of 9 sequential overflights to gather SLAR imagery in a 50 mile wide strip adjacent to the coast from Point Barrow to Barter Island, and several other special overflights both seaward into the multi-year pack and over designated near-shore areas.

       The imagery output consisted of complete SLAR coverage prints, mosaics, 400 planimetric aerial strip photographs, and numerous 35 mm prints and slides. The information yield, in addition to the imagery itself, consisted of the results of several levels of interpretive work, ranging from descriptive pictorial outputs to rigorous numerical results. The general interpretation program consisted of the generation of descriptive overlays for all the SLAR imagery. Quantitative interpretation results were generated utilizing a Bercha Group software package, yielding ice morphology and dynamics parameters statistically describing floe and feature characteristics, velocity fields, and other statistical and probabilistic parameters for the ice cover. Results of the numerical work were summarized in tabular and graphical format, adequately characterizing many of the mesoscale ice morphology and dynamics characteristics and their distributions throughout the break-up period over the spatial field of the survey area. Additional
interpretation work was carried out to expand current capability to interpret radar signatures of various ice features, including multi-year floes, ridges, and deformed ice. The physical yield of the work included over 250,000 sq. mi. of multi-sensor imagery at various scales, dominated by complete coverage of SLAR at a 1:250,000 scale, the scale controlled SLAR mosaics, aerial colour photographs, 35 mm colour photographs and slides, and the final report described herein. Conclusions of the work were presented, including conclusions of the efficacy of the methodology utilized as well as specific conclusions on the character of the ice system studied. Recommendations for further work for additional information extraction from the present imagery as well as for other programs were presented. Some of the photographic images generated during this project are shown in Figures 2 and 3.
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Figure 1: Study area

(Click on image to view enlargement)

Figure 2: Drill Site, Issungnak 061 Figure 3: Drill Ship

 

R8007 Assessment of Relative Merits of Microwave and Visual Spectrum Sensing Techniques for Evaluation of Environmental Impact Parameters
Berok Systems Limited
R8003 Comparative Study of Landsat, SLAR, and SAR Imagery for Quantitative Evaluation of Lineament Distributions and Gradients in the North Central Plains
Conoco Exploration Company
R8002 Acquisition and Interpretation of Multi-Sensor Imagery (SLAR, TIR, FCIR, MSS) For Assessment of Seasonal Variations in Rangeland Biomass
Department of Agriculture
R8001 Ice and Sea Model for Baffin Bay and Lancaster Sound
Petro-Canada Resources

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