Physical Environmental Monitoring In the Offshore
Authors: Coolen M.E. , Ransom Jan 
Published: March 2010

A summary and review is presented of certain components of a Physical Environmental Monitoring Program conducted by Mobil Oil Canada, Limited. This program is in support of Mobil's East Coast drilling operations. The various meteorological and oceanographic program components are described with specific reference to the use of the data collected by this monitoring program.to collect, record and transmit data on meteorological and oceanographic conditions; andto assist and advise operational personnel on the various meteorological and oceanographic conditions that affect the performance of rig operations.

Introduction

Physical environmental monitoring is associated with all East Coast offshore exploration drilling operations. Although this paper addresses, in summary form, some components of Mobil on Canada's Environmental Monitoring Program, the program as presented here is in line with those of other offshore operations and fairly representative.

The objectives of such a program are four fold:to monitor, in real time, meteorological and oceanographic parameters that influence on-going offshore operations;to record data that can be used to more accurately model and forecast future meteorological and oceanographic parameters that may influence these operations;to archive data for future potential design considerations; andto obtain and retain government approvals to explore and develop.

These objectives, in part, are satisfied by Environmental Monitoring Program components, namely:Offshore Ice/Weather Observer ProgramAutomatic Environmental Weather Station ProgramWave Measurement ProgramCurrent Measurement Program

Ice/Weather Observer Program

The first program component, the Ice/Weather Observer Program, is the cornerstone for a large portion of this environmental monitoring work. Two trained ice/weather observers are stationed on each Mobil contracted drilling rig on a 24-hour basis. Their basic duties are:to collect, record and transmit data on meteorological and oceanographic conditions; andto assist and advise operational personnel on the various meteorological and oceanographic conditions that affect the performance of rig operations.

Depending on the drilling area the rig is in. they may also act as the rig's radio operators. This case applies only to Mobil's drilling operation near Sable Island.

Some of the duties of the ice/weather observers are carried out in accordance with practices set down by the Atmospheric Environment Services (AES) of the Canadian Government. However, other duties are specific to an offshore drilling operation and are carefully supervised and monitored by Mobil.

The most important function of the ice/weather observer is to make meteorological and oceanographic observations. The observations are called MANMAR measurements; MANMAR stands for " Manual of Marine Weather Observing".

Observations are generally made every three hours. They are recorded in a report titled " Selected Ships Meteorological Log", which is supplied by AES. An individual observation entails anywhere from 23 to 44 pieces of information. Figure 1 shows the various parameters measured, observed and recorded on this regular schedule. This includes information on winds, waves, and other weather parameters such as low cloud ceiling, visibility, temperature, barometric pressure, ice and icebergs-just about any weather parameter you can