gulf of mexico seafloor observatory

Greg Easson (geasson@olemiss.edu)

Gulf of Mexico Seafloor Observatory

A Cabled Ocean Observatory in the

Gulf of Mexico

Greg Easson (geasson@olemiss.edu)

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 (geasson@olemiss.edu)

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 (geasson@olemiss.edu)

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 (geasson@olemiss.edu)

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 (geasson@olemiss.edu)

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 (geasson@olemiss.edu)

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 (geasson@olemiss.edu)

Observatory Location at MC118

Greg Easson (geasson@olemiss.edu)

Why Locate the Observatory at MC118?

Greg Easson (geasson@olemiss.edu)

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 (geasson@olemiss.edu)

Who are the Members of the HRC?

Greg Easson (geasson@olemiss.edu)

Questions?

Greg Easson (geasson@olemiss.edu)

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 (geasson@olemiss.edu)

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 (geasson@olemiss.edu)

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