Combination of Terrestrial and Satellite Topography for Pipeline Engineering and Construction
Authors: Guilbaud Philippe , Matta Tanios , Al Bashr Tamadher , Ali Imtiaz 
Published: December 2021

A method consisting in an optimal combination of conventional topography from a terrestrial acquisition and satellite derived topography is presented. The solution recently implemented in the UAE for the engineering and the construction of a gas export pipeline allows significant cost reduction, time saving, and safety hazard reduction as fewer terrestrial operations are needed.

The survey area is split into 2 sub-areas: area with infrastructures requiring a high accuracy is surveyed with terrestrial topographical acquisition methods such as GNSS receivers, the other one with desert conditions is mapped from satellite stereoscopic imagery. Stereoscopic mode refers to when the satellite sensor acquires two images of the same location taken from different angles. Using photogrammetric techniques, it produces a 3D elevation model of the area. The native satellite imagery allows a mapping of the surface features as well.

Terrestrial and satellite datasets are finally merged and adjusted to provide engineering and construction contractors with a unique survey dataset.

Terrestrial survey methods provide generally 5-10cm horizontal and vertical accuracies whereas satellite topography has accuracy of a few meters, so satellite topography must be controlled and adjusted from terrestrial ground control points which allow to reach an average 50cm absolute accuracy. This is good enough in desert areas with neither particular ground feature nor steep relief requiring complex design.

Satellite acquisition has limitations: vegetation masking the ground, steep slopes and dense infrastructures. It is therefore necessary to combine conventional and satellite topography to meet engineering requirements. This is considered when defining the satellite and terrestrial survey areas.

Beyond these limitations, this solution has strong advantages. Satellite grid resolution can be better (1-2m versus 5-10m for GNSS surveys). Acquisition and processing are faster (about 2 weeks versus a few weeks or months), and costs are from 10 to 100 times cheaper than conventional methods. No need for personnel and equipment on site, no management of logistics and permitting as well. Finally, it reduces safety hazards such as car accident, harsh weather, manual handling, etc.

In addition, limiting the area to be surveyed with conventional equipment may avoid the need to mobilize Airborne photogrammetry or lidar systems usually operated by foreign companies. This limits complex Call for Tender, permitting management and give more opportunity to contract local companies.

Satellite topography is widely used for preliminary studies, but the innovation here consists in an optimal combination of terrestrial and satellite datasets for engineering and construction purposes.

This solution has however some limitations as it requires suitable conditions for satellite optical imagery acquisitions: no vegetation, limited cloud cover, smooth topography, and limited infrastructures. This is of interest basically in Middle east and North Africa.