MMS ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM: ONGOING STUDIES
MMS OCS Region: Alaska (Atmospheric Sciences)
Title: Synthesis and Collection of Meteorological Data in the Nearshore Beaufort Sea: Extension
Total Cost:

$660,000

 Period of Performance: FY 2000-2005
Conducting Organization:

Hoefler Consulting Group-Anchorage, AK
MMS Contact:

Chief, Alaska Environmental Studies Section
Description:
Background

Future development in the Alaska OCS will be in the nearshore region of the Beaufort Sea. We are collecting a multi-year wind time-series set of meteorological data for the North Slope oil fields at Northstar, Milne Point, Endicott and Badami. All stations have been collecting data since January 2001. The web site has been operating very well, providing data and pertinent information on the data collection effort. The web site URL is www.resdat.com/mms. There have been some technical and logistical problems with two of the meteorological stations. The station at Endicott is a remote site without hard line power. Since the station does not have hard line power, there have been some recurring problems with maintaining power and keeping the instruments frost free and operational during the months of late November through February.

We know from Kozo’s research in the 1970's and 1980's that the upper air pressure fields, on which modeled wind fields used in Arctic regional circulation models are based, give increasing inaccurate results for surface winds within 20-30 kilometers of the Beaufort Sea coast. In OCS areas off the contiguous 48 States and in the Bering Sea, MMS has established a network of meteorological buoys to monitor the lower atmosphere over long periods (10 years). Recent CMI studies comparing simulated winds from different Arctic and hemispheric wind models to Pt. Barrow winds are not relevant to this study. This is because along the Beaufort Sea coast towards the east, orographic and sea breeze effects are too great.
Objectives

The objectives of this study are to continue to collect meteorological data in Beaufort Sea locations subject to current and proposed development. This study will add an additional year of data. This study will develop a wind time series for oil weathering models and sensitivity testing of MMS’s nearshore and general regional circulation and trajectory models for the Beaufort Sea.
Methods

The methods of this study are to:

  1. Collect five years of wind time series from five meteorological stations located at Northstar, Endicott,Milne Point,Badami,and Cottle Island along the North Slope of Alaska.
  2. Provide replacement parts as necessary for existing stations from previous study.
  3. Maintain all stations and provide regular audits on equipment.
  4. Provide historical meteorological database 1985 through 2004,wind speed/wind direction data only.
  5. Conduct cross-correlation statistical analysis of wind time-series data from for all MMS stations.
  6. Write final data analysis report
Importance to MMS

The MMS uses circulation models requiring meteorological information in EIS’s, other environmental assessments, and oil-spill contingency planning. The database will used in validating the 10 m wind fields that the MMS uses in the Arctic Regional Circulation Model and Oil Spill Trajectory Analysis. The data from this study was most recently used to correlate surface current measurements collected in the Beaufort Sea using high frequency Doppler radar. Future planned development of mesoscale meteorology model for the Beaufort Sea will use these data for model validation purposes. These data have also been for BWASP field survey efforts and in recent studies in the correlation sea ice lead formation.
Current Status:

Meteorological database has been received and is being reviewed. Final report will be delivered by the end of April 2006.
Final Report Due:

4/30/2006
Publications:
Affiliated WWW Sites:

www.resdat.com/mms
Revised date:

March 3, 2006
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