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Abstract

A study is made of petroleum infrastructure expansion, or petroscape, in three of Venezuela’s four heavy oil operations between 1990 and 2005.  A change detection method using Landsat and CBERS satellite imagery and a GIS is implemented for gauging estimates in land use and land cover change (LULCC).  The objective is to determine which Associations showed the greatest and least reduction in biomass tied to petroscape growth in a time series corresponding to the before, early and full production phases.  Results indicate variability in the amount of land use dedicated to petroleum infrastructure among three (of four) operations which consists of partnerships between the state oil industry and multinational oil companies (MNOCs). 

Introduction

Understanding the dynamics behind land use land cover change (LULCC) is a main objective for social and natural scientists interested in global changes affecting ecological and social systems at multiple scales[i].  Much of the research in this area focuses on deforestation in tropical regions, particularly in Brazilian Amazonia[ii].  By far, the main driver behind deforestation is agriculture[iii]. Logging, however, is also important and often a precursor to deforestation via the creation of roads that provide access to previously remote areas[iv].  Furthermore, when appraised properly, logging may prove just as significant a force in deforestation[v].  This is of particular importance to petroleum exploration activities, where seismic lines and service roads can create long term ecological impacts[vi].

Much less research in the LULCC literature, however, focuses on the exploitation of nonrenewable natural resources, such as gold, coal and oil, despite the serious social and environmental impacts these activities have[vii].  Given the dominance of energy-producing hydrocarbon resources in the global economy and the invariable land use changes associated with their mining and extraction[viii], the lack of attention to these topics in the LULCC literature is surprising. 

Multinational oil companies (MNOCs), however, have become proactive in minimizing and monitoring environmental and social impacts tied to exploration and production (E & P) activities, particularly since best practices in Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSSE) can help prevent costly environmental disasters[ix].  Not surprisingly, studies related to environmental impacts of oil operations may be found in the petroleum geology literature and through environmental NGOs that follow the industry.  However research on heavy oil-driven petroscapes is sparse and few studies compare the industrial footprint created by E & P sites operating in similar environments and implementing quite the same business model. 

This paper utilizes a change detection method using Landsat TM and ETM+, as well as CBERS 2 satellite imagery and a GIS to monitor and compare petroscape expansion over time in three of Venezuela’s current heavy oil belt operations.  Each Association consists of partnerships between the state oil industry and US and European multinational oil companies (MNOCs). The objective is to identify which Associations (Sincor, Petrozuata, Ameriven) display the largest and smallest industrial footprint.  This information can help provide data on who is implementing best practices in the area of minimizing environmental impacts.  Given that this zone is slated for massive E & P over the next 23 years, current and ongoing findings may inform planning and policy that helps reduce the industrial footprint to come as a consequence of future upstream operations.

Though Alvarez et al. predict that the giant reserves of the HOB (estimated at 1.2 trillion barrels) will support at least 10 new projects[x], the state industry has designated 27 new blocks for E & P[xi].  Drilling began on the first block in September 2006[xii].  Furthermore, since the state oil industry predicts that “The Belt will become the main driver of the country’s social, industrial, technological sustainable development,” [xiii] oil E & P will be an important aspect of total LULCC that will affect this zone.