Abstract

Geospatial Trends and Vulnerability of Iraqi Pipelines to Sabotages
Track: Defense and Intelligence
Author(s): Antonio De la Cruz, Marcin Mielewczyk

A GIS has been developed to determine the geospatial distribution and vulnerability of Iraqi pipelines to sabotages resulting from insurgent activity from May 2003 to June 2006.

The sabotage database was generated from open sources that were correlated with MODIS hotspots (NASA Web Fire Mapper)responding to sabotages and allowing the confirmation and extension of the database. This is a security application of algorithms originally produced for environmental applications such as forest fires.

The vectorization of the pipeline network and related oil and gas infrastructures were obtained at the best possible scale, from available maps and imagery (TPC, JOG, Russian maps, Landsat 7 mosaic of Iraq and some H.R. imagery).

The GIS results suggest several vulnerability factors such as (in decreasing vulnerability order):1. Closeness to populated areas; 2. Nearby infrastructures; 3. Impact on the national and international economy; 4. Unguarded pipeline segments; 5. Pipelines above the ground; 6. Pipeline accessibility.

Antonio De la Cruz
European Union Satellite Centre (EUSC)
Apdol de Correos 511
Torrejon de Ardoz
Madrid , Madrid E-28850
Spain
Phone: 003491-6786072
Fax: 003491-6786006
E-mail: a.delacruz@eusc.europa.eu

Marcin Mielewczyk
European Union Satellite Centre (EUSC)
Apdo. de Correos 511
Torrejon de Ardoz , Madrid E-28850
Spain
Phone: 003491-6786062
Fax: 003491- 6786006
E-mail: m.mielewczyk@eusc.europa.eu