Ocean Current from 500 to 1000 Meters in the Gulf of Mexico

摘要

As part of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) sponsored study for oceanrncurrent monitoring from 500 – 1,000 meters in the Gulf of Mexico, this paper describes the methodology and results ofrnassessing the characteristics of the forcing and occurrence of elevated current events.rnBOEMRE NTL ADCP data, historical mooring current data and three types of Princeton Regional Ocean Forecasting Systemrn(PROFS) model data were used for this study. Based on the analysis of current characteristics, ocean current kinetic energyrndistribution and observational data availability, four representative zones are indentified. For each zone, the long term andrnevent current profile characterizations and subsurface elevated event screening are undertaken, and long- and short-term fullrnwater column current profile characterizations (representative current profiles and associated probabilities) are derived fromrnselected quality controlled NTL ADCP data, historical mooring data and PROFS model data. These current profiles andrnspecific riser models for each type (Drilling, SCR, TTR, Hybrid Risers, and TLP Tendons) are used to assess the VIVrndamage, which is documented in the accompanying paper by Ozturk et al. (OTC 23570).rnThis study will evaluate the significance of ocean currents in water depths between 500 and 1000 meters on riser andrnmooring systems, as well as to identify whether any significant events have resulted. The study results will help BOEMRE torndefine whether monitoring below 500 meters is justifiable in regards to fatigue analysis of riser or mooring systems.