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.
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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 MarineEarth 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 Greg Easson ([email protected])