Geomatics Applications in Environmental Monitoring for Oil and Gas Facilities in Delta State

Environmental monitoring around oil and gas production facilities in Delta State requires spatially referenced, multi-temporal data collection systems capable of detecting contamination, vegetation degradation, and land cover change across dynamic Niger Delta environments. This study examines the application of geomatics technologies in environmental monitoring programmes at three oil production installations in Delta State, drawing on data from environmental management plans submitted to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission. Remote sensing analysis of Sentinel-2 and PlanetScope imagery is applied to detect anomalous vegetation spectral responses indicative of hydrocarbon contamination in soil and water around facility perimeters. GPS-referenced transect surveys are used to verify and validate remote sensing classification outputs in the field. A GIS-based environmental monitoring database integrating spatial, spectral, and attribute data is constructed and evaluated for its capacity to support the mandated quarterly environmental status reporting requirements of the NUPRC. Results indicate that integrated geomatics monitoring detects environmental anomalies two to three months earlier than conventional ground-based monitoring, providing earlier warning for remediation response. The study makes recommendations for standardising geomatics monitoring protocols across oil facility operators in Delta State and embedding remote sensing baselines within the NUPRC environmental permit renewal framework. Keywords: environmental monitoring, geomatics, oil and gas, Delta State, remote sensing.