Fugro Starts Barents Sea Metocean and Ice Network Project

Fugro has started a three-year period of metocean and ice data acquisition as part of the Barents Sea metocean and ice network project.

The data will help operators to better understand relevant operational uncertainties and risk factors in the region known as “The Far North” – a frontier region for oil and gas exploration.

Statoil is leading a joint industry project (JIP) to gather additional and necessary metocean and ice data in the region.

In October 2015 five Fugro-manufactured Wavescan buoys, one current- and water level-monitoring mooring, and five ice thickness and current-profiler moorings were deployed at offshore sites between Hammerfest and Svalbard.

The Wavescan buoys are now collecting raw wave, current, meteorological and sea-water parameter data, processing the information and transmitting the summary data via satellite link.

Fugro’s Mark Jones said, “We have worked with Norwegian operators for many years and we know that managing risk and maintaining a safe operating environment is a priority. While there are significant historical metocean data available, additional collection of data related to the metocean and ice regime will further strengthen the safe planning of operations, design engineering, calibration of models and validation of weather forecasting in this frontier region.

“Fugro’s careful planning and management of site visits ensures that data acquisition is maximized. Equipment needs to be deployed and serviced during open water periods, and to collect data during the ice seasons.”

The first service visit was undertaken in March/April 2016, following which Fugro processed, analysed and reported data collected over the first phase of measurements.

The final dataset will be produced for the JIP partners upon completion of the measurement campaign in autumn 2018.