Abstract

Kinder Morgan’s Yates Field in Pecos Co., Texas is a 42mi² producing field with over ~1700 wells and ~700 miles of pipelines. In 2010 an airborne LiDAR survey was commissioned to accurately identify well-head locations and improve seismic pre-planning/design; especially tricky in a dense producing field.

To achieve these objectives, Airborne Imaging recommended acquisition of a high point density LiDAR dataset in addition to aerial photography (LiDAR: point density: 10 m²; vertical accuracy: 15cm RMSE; horizontal accuracy: 25cm RMSE; Photo: 6” pixel resolution). The photo would be used to very clearly image smaller well-heads and narrow diameter pipeline. The LiDAR would capture the elevation of those features. Furthermore, the LiDAR would provide topographic information of the surface beneath the vegetation and the ground surrounding the infrastructure; in addition to being accurate enough for hydrologic modeling.

Once Kinder Morgan started working with the LiDAR, it was quickly realized that the data could be used to address a multitude of surface issues beyond the original intent.

Some of these included:

1. flow line location design;

2. ground level elevation information for infill well planning and prior to work-over’s;

3. verification of GPS lat/longs for Railroad Commission maps and well-pad/well-head locations;

4. location/elevation of NGL lines to Yates Gas Plant and Central Batteries;

5. radius of exposure maps for H2S emergency evacuation drills, and

6. walk away VSP design.

This presentation will include a basic overview of airborne LiDAR technology and examples from the Yates field in addition to some other LiDAR applications pertinent to onshore E&P projects.