Ipex Remote Sensing services involve an integrated analysis of radar remote sensing and meteorological and oceanographic data for the identification of active petroleum systems evidenced by seepage slicks on the sea surface.

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology is unique for detecting seepage phenomena in frequently cloud-covered areas. However, with regard to radar-imaging, the suppression of wave backscatter is unfortunately not exclusive to the presence of oil. False targets include wind shadow, natural surfactants, local upwelling, shallow marine vegetation, areas of heavy rainfall, low wind zones, among others. IPEX's proposed approach will circumvent these pitfalls using specific processing approaches that enhance ocean surface features related to oil slicks in SAR data.

Meteorological and oceanographic ancillary information obtained by other satellite systems is similarly analyzed, while areas of smooth texture on the RADARSAT-1 images not related to oil slicks are disregarded. The data products are programmed in the ScanSAR Narrow 1 (SCN 1) and 2 (SNB) operational modes. The data integration allows for the selection of several full resolution RADARST-1 images for seepage slick identification and characterization.