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Gulf of Mexico Seafloor Observatory. A Cabled Ocean Observatory in the Gulf of Mexico. Goal. To build and operate the Gulf of Mexico Seafloor Observatory (GOMSO), a cabled ocean observatory at Mississippi Canyon Federal Lease Block 118 (MC118). Benefits of a GOM Observatory. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Greg Easson ([email protected])
Gulf of Mexico Seafloor Observatory
A Cabled Ocean Observatory in the
Gulf of Mexico
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)
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
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
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
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
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
Greg Easson ([email protected])
Observatory Location at MC118
Greg Easson ([email protected])
Why Locate the Observatory at MC118?
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
Greg Easson ([email protected])
Who are the Members of the HRC?
Greg Easson ([email protected])
Questions?
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
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
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