WorldView-3's SWIR bands overlap with key absorption features of hydrocarbons (HCs).
The ability of WorldView-3 (WV-3) to sense HCs is simulated using hyperspectral data.
WV-3 proved to be capable to unambiguously detect HCs in varying background soils.
Combination of bands 11 and 12 sharply depicts the HC feature centered at 1700 nm.
WV-3 opens global possibilities for HC exploration and environmental monitoring.