Gulf of Mexico Seafloor Observatory
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Transcript of Gulf of Mexico Seafloor Observatory
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Greg Easson ([email protected])
Gulf of Mexico Seafloor Observatory
A Cabled Ocean Observatory in the
Gulf of Mexico
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Greg Easson ([email protected])
Goal
To build and operate the Gulf of Mexico Seafloor Observatory
(GOMSO), a cabled ocean observatory at Mississippi Canyon Federal Lease Block 118 (MC118)
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Greg Easson ([email protected])
Benefits of a GOM Observatory
• Monitor the long-term effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil release, (HR 3534)
• Expanded research in the hydrocarbon systems, (oil, gas, hydrates) in the deep GOM
• Research and monitor rare and extreme events
• Not affected by hurricanes or storms
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Greg Easson ([email protected])
Traditional Ocean Observations• Sensor arrays towed by
a ship• Battery-powered
sensors on seafloor• Low sampling rates to
preserve power• Data recovery difficult
and infrequent• No communication with
sensors
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Greg Easson ([email protected])
Why is a Cabled Ocean Observatory a Unique Opportunity?
• Only way to monitor seafloor conditions in real-time • Multiple sensors for multiple needs• Provides data to academia, government and industry• Reliable power and communications
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Greg Easson ([email protected])
Are there other Cabled Ocean Observatories?
Name Agency/Country Location Status Focus
Neptune CFI/Canada Coastal British Columbia Operational 2009 earthquakes and gas hydrates
DONET Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Tech.
To-Nankai region, Japan First of 20 nodes to be online in 2010
earthquakes, and tsunami early warning
ESORNET - EMSO European Union 11 sites planned none active, funding 2012-2016
slope stability, ocean currents, and seismic
LORI Oman and private company
Offshore Oman Operational since 2005 water conditions and tsunamis
LEO-15 Rutgers University/USA Coastal New Jersey (15m)
Operational in 1996 oceanographic data
MVCO USA Martha’s Vineyard operational currents & weather
NEMO Pacific Marine Env. Lab Oregon/USA
Newport, Oregon Operational submarine volcanic activity
MARS NSF/USA Monterey Bay, CA(891m)
Operational seismic, marine life, water cond.
OOI RSN NSF/USA Oregon, Washington Coast
Operation in 2010 climate, hydrates, earthquakes
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Greg Easson ([email protected])
Why Locate the Observatory at MC118?
• Only research reserve in the GoM• Existing infrastructure in place• Unique pre-spill seafloor data and information• Less than 10 miles from Deepwater Horizon• Active research with established collaborators,
nationally and internationally• Geologic condition similar to other deep water
drilling sites
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Greg Easson ([email protected])
Leveraged Investments
• Hydrate Research Consortium support by DOE, MMS (now BOEMRE) and NOAA since 2001
• BP investment in Gulf of Mexico fiber optic network
• Maturity of cabled ocean observatory technologies
• State of Mississippi investment in connectivity and supercomputing research
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Greg Easson ([email protected])
What will it Cost?
Estimated costs over 10 years, includes personnel, sensors, maintenance, network service costs
– Observatory, inc. link to BP network $15 million– Expansion of sensors and computing systems at MC118
$ 4 million– Expansion of computing resources $ 3 million– Operational costs per year $ 2.2 million
• Estimated cost for 10 years $ 44 million
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Greg Easson ([email protected])
Gas Hydrates• Ice-like solid with methane trapped in the
matrix• Stable at low temperatures and high pressures• Potential resource for natural gas• Potential problem as a potent (16X CO2)
greenhouse gas• Can cause instability on the seafloor of GOM
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Greg Easson ([email protected])
Why Monitor the Seafloor?• Potential energy resources from gas hydrates• Seafloor instability and energy production• Unique biological systems on hydrate deposits• Potential environmental risks from hydrate
instability