The Application of

Geospatial Analyses in

Environmental Planning,

Sea-Level Modeling and

Geoscience Research

Robert A. Ross Qatar Petroleum Research

Jeremy Jameson ExxonMobil Research Qatar

Abdulali Sadiq Qatar University

Nasser Al-Mohannadi Qatar Petroleum Research

Eric Febbo ExxonMobil Research Qatar

Jurgen Foeken Qatar Petroleum Research

Christian Strohmenger ExxonMobil Research Qatar

Introduction: Spatial Referencing Possibilities

From this 2D Surface

To

To this 3D Subsurface

1. Most spatial referencing applications

are 2-Dimensional, focused on urban

management and planning.

2. This presentation reports on a feasibility

study to create 3-D and 4-D (temporal)

models of countries like Qatar.

3. Key aspects of surface geology, near-

surface geology and marine ecology

were considered in the feasibility study.

4. Recent advances in publication make it

possible to publish countrywide

datasets of key data

• ‘Everyone can make a map’-

dissemination of specialist

information to all decision makers

• Major elements of a 4-D model:

- High quality DEM (terrain model)

- Imagery (satellite and historical)

- Surface and soil geology

- Surface features analysis (faults, lineaments,

drainages, karst)

- Marine habitats, sediments and sensitivity data

- Geotechnical data

- Water table and composition data

- Hydrology and meterology

- Temporal – Changes over time

• Through web publication these data become

available to specialist and non-specialist for decision

making

Introduction: What are talking about? Building blocks

for a model

Terrain models- the foundation for mapping and

interpretations

• High resolution terrain models are first step in recognition of drainage patterns, surface

feature classification, geological interpretation and planning.

• Analytical products from terrain maps (eg curvature, derivatives) help identify features

• Qatar applications: recognition of karst, surface lineaments, drainages, land movement

studies (industrial, agricultural, tectonic)

Terrain DEM of

Qatar- elevations

in grey shade

Pleistocene Drainages

(wadis)

Structural Features

Lineaments

• Multi-spectral satellite and orthoimagery form the basis for

surface and marine classification

• Temporal analysis often based on historical imagery

• High quality simplifies geological and soil mapping

Overlaying Satellite Imagery - Characterization of

Surface Features

Satellite imagery, no

interpretation view from SE of

Qatar peninsula

Satellite Imagery- Advances in marine classification

Bathymetry output example at Area 3.

Recent Advances in multispectral imagery provide realistic bathymetric models for shallow marine habitat classification

Historical Data in Geotechnical Analysis

Hazardous karst areas identified using 1947 aerial photos and DEM

ABOVE: The original input data and the

importance of date metadata (‘47’ is

1947). Image shows the 1947 aerial

photo and modern satellite imagery

before combination through

georeferencing.

ABOVE: Georeferencing 1947 image to

identifiable terrain on satellite image.

Subsequent building development

masks some features. The ability to

identify features to reference photos is

vital. Need to retain older imagery.

Characterization of Surface Geology

View shows the distribution of

Holocene sabkha, Holocene

sands and Miocene .

• Bedrock geology and soils are basis for most civil engineering planning, agricultural management, and water studies

• Bedrock and soils classifications should be mapped to each other

• Should be integrated with surface features (lineaments)

Building blocks for countrywide geological models

• Water well cores and logs 0-400 m

• Shallow tops from oil and gas 400+

• Geotechnical cores 20-125 m

• Bedrock surface geology

• Structural dips, structural features

Elements of a geological model

• Countrywide grids of key stratigraphic horizons

• Attribute maps (composition, thickness etc) for each

horizon

• Search tool for all geotechnical and geological

literature

Building a Stratigraphic Model of Near-surface Geology

Sequence Boundary Sequence Boundary

Maximum Flooding Surface Maximum Flooding Surface

Transgressive Surface Transgressive Surface

SB1 SB1

SB2 SB2

HST HST

TST TST

LST LST

Example of Sequence Stratigraphic Framework

Making Intelligent Decisions:

More data = better decisions.

Before constructing a new building or asset, civil engineers need to assess:

• What borehole data are to be acquired?

• What borehole data are already available?

• Is the data relevant e.g. is the borehole deep enough?

• How do I get the previous reports and data?

Answer :

• Establish Qatar-wide geotechnical engineering database.

• Store, query, retrieve and analyze geotechnical engineering

data and legacy boreholes.

• Borehole data can be re-used in conceptual design stage.

• Analyze spatial patterns.

A Decision Tool for Civil Engineering and Planning

• Paleo-urban planning-

- How did people plan 5,000 years ago?

Time - 4-D Models as Tools for Research

Distribution of early settlements in Qatar reflect spatial relationships essential to survival in a harsh environment: 1) access to the sea; 2) fresh drinking water within 4 meters of the ground level; 3) beach rock and other building materials.

6,000 years ago, sea level was 2 metres higher than today. Map shows spatial analysis reflecting sea level 2 metres higher (purple areas). Areas of coastal plain where bedrock was within 4 metres of the old water table shown red.

Time - 4-D Models as Tools for Research

• Sea-level was 2 metres higher 6,000 years ago

Early Settlement ?

Time - 4-D Models as Tools for Research

• Making temporal (time) models dynamic

Time - 4-D Models as Tools for Research

Time - 4-D Models as Tools for Research

Post-Glacial History of the Arabian Gulf – What and When?

18,000 years ago - Glaciers in Zagros Mts. Cold and wet. Fresh water rivers and

lakes – green valleys. Sea level 120 metres lower than today.

14,000 years ago. Sea level gradually came into the Arabian Gulf. Sea level

starts to rise as the polar ice caps melt. Arid conditions like today. Rivers dry up.

Sand dunes.

12,000 years ago, glaciers melted . More arid conditions. Sand dunes moving.

10,000 years ago sea-level looks much the same as today.

Between 14,000 and 10,000 years ago sea-level rises at a rate of one metre

every 100 years.

10,000 to 6,000 years ago –Wet conditions return. Green areas and rivers.

6,000 years ago - sea-level was 2 metres above present day.

Research tool reconstruction - Sea-level history analysis and imagery

draped on bathymetry and terrain model in GIS

Time - 4-D Models as Tools for Research

Post-Glacial History of Arabian Gulf – Coast Today in Red

Summary and Conclusions

• Rapidly developing countries of the Arabian Gulf face unique

challenges balancing between the demands of development and

conservation.

• High-quality tools are needed in order to make sound decisions.

In most cases the consequences are irreversible.

• We have presented a ‘template’ for 4D models of the key features

of a country that could be deployed as an aid in making decisions.

• These models rely mostly on integration of existing data.

• The models are publishable, making them readily available to all.