|
|
MC seismic
-
2013
-
Pelican
|
|
|
|
Project Title: |
Multi-component, and high-resolution 2D, seismic study of gas hydrates |
Project Status: |
Submitted |
|
Principal Investigator: |
Seth Haines, USGS_Denver |
Project Institution: |
USGS_Denver |
|
Project ID: |
103357 |
Version #: |
1 |
|
Date Submitted: |
4/12/2012 5:26:00 PM |
Created By: |
Seth Haines |
|
Date Last Modified: |
4/12/2012 5:26:00 PM |
URI Serial #: |
None |
|
Funding Agencies: |
USGS - NONE - Funded |
|
Summary of Field Work: |
We will acquire sea-floor multicomponent seismic data and high-resolution 2-D (streamer) seismic data at two sites that have been studied as part of the Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrates Joint Industry Project (JIP): Green Canyon 955 and Walker Ridge 313. These sites have been extensively studied, including detailed LWD logging, and are known to hold thick sequences of sand containing high saturations of gas hydrate. The purpose of the ongoing multidisciplinary study of these sites is to develop technology and to collect data to assist in the characterization of marine gas hydrates in order to better understand their impact on seafloor stability, their role in climate change, and their potential as an energy source. The purpose of this new seismic acquisition is to expand outward from the boreholes the detailed characterization that has been accomplished there, and to develop and calibrate improved geophysical techniques for gas hydrate characterization.
At each site we will deploy approximately 20 ocean-bottom seismometers (OBS) that will be borrowed from the U.S. National OBS Instrument Pool (OBSIP). We will provide seismic energy with low-energy generator-injector airguns owned and operated by the USGS. The seismic energy will also be recorded with a 72-channel, 450-meter, hydrophone streamer, also owned and operated by the USGS. We plan to collect approximately 740 km of streamer data at each site, in a grid pattern. Following seismic acquisition, we will retrieve all OBS. Water depth is approximately 2000m at each site. All operations will be 24 hours per day.
Transit legs include approximately 250 km from Cocodrie to GC955, approximately 150 km from GC955 to WR313, and approximately 300 km from WR313 to Cocodrie. We have included 2 days of transit time in the scheduling part of the ship request and will deduct any additional transit time from our science days. |
|
Summary of Facility Requirements: |
We will require use of the ship A-frame.
We will need sufficient deck space for the airgun compressor and the OBS instrument van.
We will require all scientific berths for the science party. |
|
Summary of other requirements and comments: |
|
|
|
Type of Request: |
Primary Ship Use |
Request Status: |
Submitted |
|
Request ID: |
1005340 |
Created By: |
Seth Haines |
|
Date Last Modified: |
4/12/2012 5:26:00 PM |
Date Submitted: |
4/12/2012 5:26:00 PM |
|
|
Year: |
2013
|
Ship/Facility: |
Pelican
|
|
Optimum Start Date:
|
4/16/2013 |
Dates to Avoid: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earliest Start Date: |
4/9/2013 |
Multi-Ship Op: |
No |
|
Latest Start Date: |
5/14/2013 |
Other Ship(s): |
|
|
|
Operating Days Needed: |
Science Days |
Mob Days |
De-Mob Days |
Estimated Transit Days |
Total Days |
|
15 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
20 |
Repeating Cruise?
(within same year) |
No |
Interval: |
|
# of Cruises: |
|
|
|
Description of Repeating cruise requirements: |
|
Justification/Explanation for ship choice, dates,
conflicts, number of days & multi-ship operations: |
|
|
Short Description of Op Area
for use in schedules: |
Gulf of Mexico |
| Description of Op Area: |
Two sites in the Gulf of Mexico: GC955 and WR313. Both have water depth of approximately 2000m and are roughly 250 km from Cocodrie. |
| Op Area Size/Dia.: |
At each site: a grid approximately 15 km square. |
|
|
| |
Lat/Long |
Marsden Grid |
Navy Op Area |
|
Beginning
|
27° 0' N
/
90° 25.2' W
map
|
|
|
|
Ending
|
26° 39' N
/
91° 40.8' W
map
|
|
|
| |
Show Degrees Minutes |
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign Clearance Required? |
No |
Coastal States:
|
 Important Info on Foreign Research Clearances
|
|
Are you or any member in your science party bringing in any science equipment items which are regulated for export by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR)?
|
No |
If yes, have you applied for the necessary permits through your export control office?
|
No |
| Questions about ITAR/EAR regulations?
|
Comments about foreign clearance requirements or
description of any other special permitting requirements
(e.g., MMPA, ESA, IHA, Marine Sanctuaries, etc.) |
|
|
|
Requested Start Port |
Intermediate Port(s) |
Requested End Port |
|
Cocodrie, LA, USA |
None |
Cocodrie, LA, USA |
Explanation/justification for requested
ports and dates of intermediate stops
or to list additional port stops |
|
Important Info on Working in Foreign Ports
|
|
|
|
Chief Scientist: |
Seth Haines, USGS_Denver |
|
# in Science Party |
14 |
# of different science teams |
1 |
# Marine Technicians to be
provided by ship operator:
(include in science party total)
|
1 |
|
Explanation of Science Party Requirements and Technician Requirements |
The science party includes:
2 PI’s
2 Electrical Technicians
2 Marine Technicians
2 OBS Technicians
3 Protected species observers
2 Watch standers |
|
 Dynamic Positioning | ADCP | Multibeam | Seismic |
| Dredging/Coring/Large Dia. Trawl Wire | Stern A-frame | Fiber Optic (.681) | 0.680 Coax Wire |
| SCUBA Diving | Radioisotope use - briefly describe | NO Radioisotope use/Natural level work | Other Operator Provided Inst. - Describe |
| 0 PI-Provided Vans - briefly describe | MOCNESS | | |
|
Explain Instrumentation or Capability
requirements that could affect choice
of ship in scheduling. |
The USGS will provide all necessary scientific equipment.
|
|
|
|
Explain Major Ancillary Facilities
Requirements and list description
and provider for "other" systems. |
As of April, 2012, we have assurance that the necessary OBS instruments will be available during the April/May 2013 time window. |
|
