Geologists In Norway Are Using Drones With Cameras To Hunt For Oil

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Geologists In Norway Are Using Drones With Cameras To Hunt For Oil

Posted by Soulskill on Friday May 17, 2013 @04:23AM from the just-like-the-us-army-in-iraq dept.

garymortimer writes "Geologists have long used seismology on the bottom of the ocean or have been throwing dynamite from snowmobiles when they look for oil. But now researchers at Centre for Integrated Petroleum Research, a joint venture between the University of Bergen and Uni Research, have found a new preferred method – using drones to map new oil reserves from the air. ... The group’s main task is to create digital maps in 3D of potential oil fields. Using laser scanners, infrared sensors and digital cameras, the researchers create realistic, virtual models. ... Pictures shot with the help of a drone complement the images from low-level terrain that the researchers already have in hand. The end result is more precise and complete 3D models."

30 of 44 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

Where's the proof? :) by tatman · 2013-05-17 04:25 · Score: 2

I was hoping for link to an article that explained this in more detail.....

--
I've always said English was my second language. Had Romeo and Juliet been written in C, I might have understood it.
This would work great in the Middle East. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-05-17 04:26 · Score: 1

We could combine anti-terrorist drone strikes with seismological surveys and get a pretty decent map of the oil reserves. Win-win!
Re:Where's the proof? :) by i+kan+reed · 2013-05-17 04:29 · Score: 1

If they did, there's a good chance they'd be letting out trade secrets that other oil companies could use too.
Nothing new by Anonymous Coward · 2013-05-17 04:39 · Score: 3, Insightful

I work for a geoscience company, this isn't new technology just a refinement or techniques already in use
1. Re:Nothing new by Anonymous Coward · 2013-05-17 04:53 · Score: 1
  
  I work for a geoscience company, this isn't new technology just a refinement or techniques already in use
  Isn't that how it always works? Refine something, paste a new buzz-word to it, and Profit! ?
2. Re: Nothing new by toastar · 2013-05-17 06:32 · Score: 1
  
  Are there companies offering grav/mag drones? I've had surveys delayed months due to the pilot being unavailable.
3. Re:Nothing new by ColdWetDog · 2013-05-17 10:58 · Score: 1
  
  Yeah. Like Cessna 172s. I'm not sure why this is so different from flying around in a single engine prop plane - the kind you can rent for a couple of hundred per hour. Or buy for a small multiple of a drone cost. And it comes with a pilot so you don't have to worry (too much) about crashing.
  
  --
  Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
Dream job by Nidi62 · 2013-05-17 04:41 · Score: 3, Insightful

throwing dynamite from snowmobiles when they look for oil
Damn, I should have been a geologist.

--
The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
1. Re:Dream job by jeffmeden · 2013-05-17 04:49 · Score: 1
  
  throwing dynamite from snowmobiles when they look for oil
  Damn, I should have been a geologist.
  "What's all that dynamite for?"
  "Who cares? it makes a real fucking cool boom..."
2. Re:Dream job by antdude · 2013-05-17 11:10 · Score: 1
  
  It's not too late. :)
  
  --
  Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
Re:Where's the proof? :) by Anonymous Coward · 2013-05-17 04:43 · Score: 3, Funny

Hey, you don't need a link. You can't trust stuff on the Internet. Trust me.
Fascinating link, thanks! by tocsy · 2013-05-17 04:52 · Score: 4, Funny

Mediocre summary as usual, but TFA was really well written and interesting!
1. Re:Fascinating link, thanks! by Anonymous Coward · 2013-05-17 05:01 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  Very funny. It wasn't that impressive, but I think this is the link they forgot.
Aerial mapping is not new ... by perpenso · 2013-05-17 04:55 · Score: 3, Insightful

Aerial mapping is not new. The only thing that has changed is that the pilot is now remote. Is every instance of data acquisition from an aerial platform where the pilot becomes remote some sort of breaking news event?
1. Re:Aerial mapping is not new ... by garymortimer · 2013-05-17 22:49 · Score: 1
  
  Well, the mapping is getting smarter, cheaper and faster. The technology is not coming soon to the USA due to FAA and industrial military complex roadblocks. This is perfect for the rest of the world. As ever Europe leads the way in aviation.
EXTRA!! EXTRA!! READ ALL ABOUT IT! by Anonymous Coward · 2013-05-17 05:00 · Score: 1

Pornographers shooting scenes from the air using DRONE technology!
1. Re:EXTRA!! EXTRA!! READ ALL ABOUT IT! by tatman · 2013-05-17 06:39 · Score: 1
  
  We definitely need links to see this :)
  
  --
  I've always said English was my second language. Had Romeo and Juliet been written in C, I might have understood it.
Why not just by LeadSongDog · 2013-05-17 05:10 · Score: 1

program the drones to look for big red trucks with "Halliburton" signs?

--
Oh, I'm sorry sir, I thought you were referring to me, Mr. Wensleydale.
Trust me by PPH · 2013-05-17 05:10 · Score: 1

You walk into an AutoZone looking for a case of 10W50 with a lit stick of dynamite and the clerks will help you out pretty damn fast.

--
Have gnu, will travel.
Re:Where's the proof? :) by hurfy · 2013-05-17 05:27 · Score: 1

When you hover your mouse over the map it says "oil"
The Radio by JBMcB · 2013-05-17 05:32 · Score: 1

I have no problem with drones flying around uninhabited border areas looking for stuff. Fly 'em around the US national parks to look for poachers or campers in trouble, patrol the borders of Canada and Mexico, monitor oil pipelines - whatever.
I have a major problem with them flying around inhabited areas. The RF spectrum is relatively clean out in the boonies. When you get into inhabited, and especially industrial areas, it gets downright vicious. You have high tension power lines, cell towers, microwave repeaters, industrial gear that dumps garbage all over the spectrum (plasma cutters, giant high-torque AC motors, arc welders) FM, AM and landmobile towers, weather and aviation radar - it's a nightmare. I don't want anything flying around that doesn't have a manual override over my house.

--
My Other Computer Is A Data General Nova III.
1. Re:The Radio by anyanka · 2013-05-17 06:58 · Score: 1
  
  Norway's mostly uninhabited anyway, so it shouldn't be a problem in this case.
2. Re:The Radio by mikael · 2013-05-17 08:51 · Score: 1
  
  Makes me want to see what the RF spectrum of a city would look like from street view levels - I'm imagining seeing all the buildings in X-rays and all the noise sources looking like sparklers reflected by the steel frames, walls and signs.
  
  --
  Vintage computer adverts: http://www.vintageadbrowser.com/computers-and-software-ads
Re:Where's the proof? :) by K.+S.+Kyosuke · 2013-05-17 05:33 · Score: 1

Obvious: GP works for BP.

--
Ezekiel 23:20
Re:Where's the proof? :) by OhSoLaMeow · 2013-05-17 05:37 · Score: 1

When you hover your mouse over the map it says "oil"
Only if you have "Tool Tips" enabled.

--
They can take my LifeAlert pendant when they pry it from my cold dead fingers.
I wanted to be one - a geologist by Anonymous Coward · 2013-05-17 05:46 · Score: 1

I wanted to be a geologist because i think rocks are cool.
The program meant taking - almost majoring in all: chemistry, physics, math, earth science (geology).
Good god! 15+ course hours of ALL lab science for 4 years!
When physicians bitch about their training, I just smile to myself and think of the geologists.
Please, a year of calculus, physics, chemistry, organic chem and biology to get into med school? That's it? And then to study what's basically sr. level science for a year or two and then learning to say "turn your head and cough"? Really?
The AMA has done a great job of keeping mediocre science students employed and making a great living.
Re:Where's the proof? :) by anyanka · 2013-05-17 07:29 · Score: 1

I guess this is publicly funded research, so the results should be available. That being said, it's kind of refreshing to not even have the ability to RTFA.
Drill baby drill by zmaragdus · 2013-05-17 08:05 · Score: 1

Drone baby drone? Yeah yeah, it's Norway and not the US...

--
(((dB)))
Re:Where's the proof? :) by mikael · 2013-05-17 08:47 · Score: 1

Advertising banners and messages ...

--
Vintage computer adverts: http://www.vintageadbrowser.com/computers-and-software-ads
Re:Where's the proof? :) by omglolbah · 2013-05-20 08:49 · Score: 1

http://www.uib.no/news/nyheter/2013/05/the-drones-of-oil
There you go :)