Viridien Satellite Mapping

Viridien Satellite Mapping
Industry	Satellite mapping and geoscience applications
Predecessor	Fugro NPA Ltd
Founded	1972
Founder	Nigel Press
Headquarters	Crawley, West Sussex, UK
Area served	Worldwide
Parent	Viridien
Website	www.viridiengroup.com/expertise/satellite-mapping

Viridien Satellite Mapping, formerly NPA Satellite Mapping, is the longest-established satellite mapping specialist in Europe, with expertise in geoscience applications of earth observation and remote sensing. In addition to processing and distributing data from a variety of satellite-based sensors, Viridien Satellite Mapping specialises in validation and interpretation of satellite imagery.

Company

In 1972, entrepreneur Nigel Press founded Nigel Press Associates (NPA), marking the beginning of modern-day satellite mapping. With the launch of the first Landsat satellite, Press recognised the potential contained within satellite imagery to revolutionise the way we understand the Earth. That vision still drives the company to become a leading provider of satellite-derived solutions today, under the name Viridien Satellite Mapping.

Historic Milestones

In 1972, Nigel Press founded NPA and began analysing satellite imagery for geological purposes, generating maps to support Earth science, oil and gas, and mineral exploration. The assembled team of remote sensing and Earth scientists provided value-added geological interpretation plus resell satellite datasets.

In 1991, the offshore analysis team was created, leveraging Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology to detect oil slicks and natural seeps with support from UK Space (then BNSC), launching a global seep database and product line.

In 1995, the InSAR analysis team was established, making NPA the longest-running commercial provider of InSAR solutions focused on ground displacement data for the oil and gas industry.

In 2008, NPA was acquired by Fugro, expanding its services and collaborations across industries.^[1]

In 2013, the company was sold to CGG and renamed CGG Satellite Mapping, growing through internal investment in innovation and digital frameworks.^[2]

In 2024, CGG rebranded to Viridien, marking a new era for the Satellite Mapping team, with access to high-performance computing (HPC) and AI lab teams, enabling the development of cutting-edge products like SeaScope and BareEarth Plus.^[3]^[4]

Operations

Throughout its 50+ years of operation, the Satellite Mapping team has been at the forefront of the sector and its technology. From the early days of Landsat to the current era of high-resolution satellite imagery, Viridien Satellite Mapping has adapted to and contributed to industry advances. As a leading provider of satellite-derived solutions—focused on geological mapping, offshore oil and gas exploration, and environmental monitoring—the organisation continues to enhance the field of satellite mapping while empowering industries and organisations to make informed decisions about the planet.^[5]^[6]^[7]

Imagery and Elevation Data

Viridien Satellite Mapping distributes optical and radar imagery at a range of resolutions, maintaining one of the largest private satellite image archives—and provides advice and acquisition services for more specific customer applications. As a member of the SARCOM consortium, Viridien Satellite Mapping also distributes radar data from the ESA satellites.^[8] The company also supplies satellite and airborne-derived terrain and elevation products, including Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), building height maps, 3DF views, and fly-throughs.

Oil and Mineral Exploration

Viridien Satellite Mapping specialises in a range of techniques for both onshore and offshore exploration. The Global Offshore Seepage Database uses EO data to observe oil seepage in marine settings.^[9] Onshore, expertise in structural and spectral geological interpretation is increasingly complemented by newer applications, such as seismic planning, subsidence mapping, and reservoir modeling.

Ground Stability

Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) uses satellite radar data to generate maps of ground or structure displacement or elevation. Depending on the situation, InSAR can detect and monitor centimetre to millimetre-scale deformation over wide areas, right down to monitoring of local areas and structures. Applications include monitoring urban structures, infrastructure, tunnelling, subsidence, landslides, resource extraction, and geological phenomena.

In addition to a diverse portfolio of commercial projects, Viridien Satellite Mapping has a significant presence with national and European initiatives, collaborating with esteemed organisations such as British National Space Centre, British Geological Survey, and the European Space Agency (ESA). Notable projects include Terrafirma, a pioneering ground motion hazard information service that disseminates critical data to national geological surveys and institutions across Europe, and the Pipemon project, which explored the application of remote sensing technology for pipeline routing and monitoring. Furthermore, Viridien Satellite Mapping’s collaborative study with the Environmental Agency on Persistent Scatter Interferometry (PSI) in London garnered national media attention, revealing ongoing subsidence in east London.

References

[1] NPA Becomes Part of Fugro Group

[2] CGG Veritas Acquires Fugro Geoscience

[3] Viridien Launches Brand

[4] Viridien Supports Technology Driven Mineral Mapping

[5] Operations reference

[6] Operations reference

[7] Operations reference

[8] Distribution of Earth Observation Data

[9] Hydrocarbon Seep Evaluation

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