Monitoring the oil exploration activity

The Barents Sea is a fragile environmental area well known for its fisheries and harsh weather. When the Norwegian Government opened the area for oil exploration activities it was important to ensure that the zero-tolerance restriction on pollution was imposed in the most efficient way.

Satellite surveillance and near real time oil spill monitoring and ship detection are important parts of the Norwegian monitoring scheme. To protect the oil installations and the drilling, Ice berg and drifting ice must also be kept under control. As the leading provider of such services in the world Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) has recently been awarded an extension on the monitoring contract with Norwegian Clean Seas Association for Operating Companies (NOFO).

NOFO is an oil spill response organisation etablished by the operating companies on the Norwegian continental shelf. NOFO's objective is environmental protection. The organisation ensures that the authorities oil spill recovery guidelines are followed. This is undertaken on behalf of, and together with, the operating companies.

Using imagery from the RadarSat satellite, KSAT shall receive, process and analyze data and within one hour inform the pollution authorities if oil spill is detected from ships or rigs in the area. KSAT shall also inform about drifting sea ice and icebergs.

For more details please contact Kongsberg Satellite Services