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Satellite SAR Interferometry (InSAR) has been widely used in recent decades to monitor earth surface displacements. Changes at ground surface level can be detected by simply comparing subsequent measurements of the satellite to ground distance. Although the basic idea is quite simple, the development of reliable InSAR algorithms was a long process as significant noise effects due to atmospheric phase delay and decorrelation phenomena had to be resolved. In 1999, the first results of the so- called Permanent Scatterer technique (PSInSAR), enabling the estimation and removal of atmospheric effects exploiting long temporal series of SAR acquisitions, was presented by the SAR group of Politecnico di Milano technical university. This approach meant moving from qualitative aerial information (InSAR) to quantitative information on a selected set of points (permanent/persistent scatterers) could be achieved, each measured to millimeter precision. Further improvement in processing algorithms (i.e. SqueeSAR technique) have enhanced the spatial density of measurement points (Permanent Scatterers and Distributed Scatterers) also providing more effective filtering of the atmospheric artifacts. The availability of new high resolution satellites (i.e. COSMO-SkyMed and TerraSAR-X) has recently improved the monitoring capabilities up to monthly or weekly updates. Thanks to the capability of providing high precision and high areal density surface displacement measurements over long periods of time Advanced InSAR technology represents one of the most valuable and cost-effective techniques for precisely monitoring surface deformation over hydrocarbon exploitation areas. Volumetric changes in reservoirs due to fluid extraction and injection can induce surface deformations, which can highlight phenomena such as reservoir compartmentalization and fault reactivation. Monitoring such deformation can lead to a better understanding of the reservoir dynamics and can also provide valuable constraints for modeling reservoir behavior with the final goal of improving recovery factors. Selected case studies in the Middle East and Caspian area are presented to highlight the effectiveness of advanced satellite Interferometry in reservoir monitoring, supporting the identification of fault-bounded reservoir compartments, the calibration of hydrocarbon reservoir geo-mechanical models and reservoir exploitation strategies.

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SAR Interfeometry (InSAR) provides high precision ground displacement measurements remotely, using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images acquired from satellites.Thanks to its effective provision of extensive information over wide areas with high acquisition frequency, InSAR monitoring is used routinely in the management of numbers of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) projects. These include heavy oil Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS), Steam Flooding (SF) and Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) in Alberta and California.Steam injection recovery is generally operated in shallow reservoirs with low caprock thickness, where measuring the surface effects of pressure variations at depth is extremely useful to assess steam chest expansion and enhance safety. InSAR monitoring provides low-cost effective measurements over large areas and is capable of highlighting zones of excessive pressure or subsidence, as well as to control the integrity and safety of operations and infrastructures.This paper presents an overview of InSAR technologies and their recent enhancements. Some examples of InSAR application in EOR heavy oil projects are reported in order to highlight the advantages offered by these monitoring techniques in reservoir management and recovery optimization.