Integration of sea-ice monitoring components to support high latitude offshore operations – two case studies

Research and commercial data gathering exercises in ice-infested and ice-threatened waters focus on operations in a distinct and limited geographical area. In order to maximize productive time on location, various combinations of ice monitoring techniques and tools have been assembled in varying management structures. This paper studies two specific marine seismic operations carried out in sea-ice environments north of 70° North latitude during the summer seasons of 2008 and 2009. Common elements of ice information need linked the cases. These included near-real time radar satellite images of the immediate operations area, regular long range weather forecasts focused on the operations area, regular daily forecasts of ice movement, ice charts from public agencies, a need for near-real-time delivery of primary and interpreted data products, and the ability to transmit sufficient data to remote offshore locations via Internet channels. The specific objectives of each operation required different frequencies of data delivery, extents of data coverage, and personnel deployments among other considerations. Each operation established a distinct management hierarchy for the provision and coordination of ice monitoring components. In addition the actual ice conditions encountered in the course of an operations season would influence the level of on-site personnel requirements. This paper describes the sources of ice data used, the tools and techniques employed to interpret the data, the methods of data transmission, the varying levels of experienced human interaction, changes encountered in data gathering technologies, and the procedures use for data integration to support timely decision-making. The methods adopted by the two operations are compared and strengths and weaknesses across the operations are assessed. Suggestions for more optimal combinations of tools, techniques, and management are advanced.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.poac.com/Papers/POAC11_80-192.zip
• Summary URL:
  • http://www.poac.com/PapersOnline.html
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03766756
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission of the International Conference on Port and Ocean Engineering Under Arctic Conditions (POAC).
• Corporate Authors:

  Port and Ocean Engineering under Arctic Conditions (POAC)

  ,    
• Authors:
  • Hill, M C
  • Pilkington, G R
  • Turnbull, Ian
• Conference:
  • 21st International Conference on Port and Ocean Engineering under Arctic Conditions (POAC'11)
  • Location: Montréal , Canada
  • Date: 2011-7-10 to 2011-7-14
• Publication Date: 2011

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 8p
• Monograph Title: POAC '11: Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on Port and Ocean Engineering under Arctic Conditions
• Serial:
  • Proceedings of the International Conference on Port and Ocean Engineering Under Arctic Conditions
  • Publisher: Port and Ocean Engineering under Arctic Conditions (POAC)
  • ISSN: 0376-6756
  • EISSN: 2077-7841
  • Serial URL: http://www.poac.com/PapersOnline.html

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Data communications; Monitoring; Navigational satellites; Offshore structures; Sea ice
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Environment; Marine Transportation; I15: Environment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01551929
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: POAC11-083
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 29 2015 9:17AM