An Ocean Data Gathering Program for the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

With the increasing interest in deepwater oil and gas activities, it becomes evident that offshore operators need to understand in a fuller sense the ocean environment. Data on waves, winds, and currents are also needed for the development and calibration of environmental forecasting theories. To gather this data, Shell installed new, specially designed instruments on deepwater platforms in the Gulf of Mexico in 1967. platforms in the Gulf of Mexico in 1967. Details of the operation and installation of these pilot measuring stations are presented along with results of two years of data gathering.

Success of these pilot stations led Shell to seek the offshore oil industry's cooperation in developing a program that would gather data over a wide area in the Gulf. A set of specifications based on industry's experience was written by Shell with industry's help. Such a program called for measuring wind, waves, and barometric pressure on six platforms covering an area from South Pass on the platforms covering an area from South Pass on the east to East Cameron on the west. In addition a platform in the middle of this area was equipped to measure ocean currents. The stations are placed on platforms located in water as deep as possible. The program began in August 1968, and will gather data for 18 months. Its major task is to measure and record storm data. However, long term FM analog recorders will gather all data continuously. The program contractor, the Baylor Company, is required to furnish only limited analysis of the storm data consisting mainly of significant wave heights, wind speed and direction, current speed and direction and wave power spectra. They must also collect and store all other data and make it available at cost to the industry participants. participants. Portions of an analog tape from the program Portions of an analog tape from the program have been converted to digital form and analyzed to determine significant wave height, mean sea elevation and wave energy spectra. To date the entire system has recorded wave heights 60 percent of the time. Analysis performed on the raw data and calibration information from the contractor indicate that the entire system is operating satisfactorily.