RS34A:
Gulf of Mexico Loop Current and Eddies: Observations, Impacts, and Forecasts Poster Lightning


Session ID#: 38909

Session Description:
The Loop Current and related eddies (LCE) are significant oceanographic features in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). In 2015 historic Loop Current Eddy activity was observed including formation and separation of four strong eddies. Ocean researchers and users (e.g. energy, fishing, shipping) in the GOM experienced prolonged downtime due to the sudden, unusual LCE upturn and migration. Currents can surge to 5 knots in areas with little warning, impacting offshore activities, causing equipment failure, and reducing infrastructure lifetime. The LCEs are significant drivers of GOM dynamics and ecology. Many aspects of the LCE are not well understood including eddy formation and separation, deepwater currents, and biogeochemical processes including hydrocarbon degradation.

To promote cross-discipline exchange on the LCE, this session will gather scientists who observe, model, and analyze LCE activity and role in GOM environment. The session will invite discussion on applications of scientific understanding to operational strategies for GOM maritime users.

Topics include:

1. Understanding cause and behavior of the Loop Current, Eddies, and Cyclonic Eddies

2. Technologies: observations, computer modeling, and others related to understanding or mitigating LCEs

3. New Methods: data collection, observation, analysis, and prediction

4. LCE interaction with marine environment including ecology, processes, and hurricanes/storms.

Primary Chair:  Pak Leung, Shell Global Solutions (US), Inc., Houston, TX, United States
Co-chairs:  Ruth Perry, Shell Exploration & Production Company, Upstream Americas, Houston, United States, Aimee Thurlow, Loop Current & Eddies Alliance, United States; Gate Premier Solutions and Chris Ordonez, DOF Subsea; Loop Current & Eddies Alliance
Moderators:  Ruth Perry, Shell Exploration & Production Company, Upstream Americas, Houston, United States, Aimee Thurlow, Loop Current & Eddies Alliance, United States and Chris Ordonez, DOF Subsea
Student Paper Review Liaisons:  Aimee Thurlow, Loop Current & Eddies Alliance, United States and Chris Ordonez, DOF Subsea
Index Terms:

1922 Forecasting [INFORMATICS]
4223 Descriptive and regional oceanography [OCEANOGRAPHY: GENERAL]
4262 Ocean observing systems [OCEANOGRAPHY: GENERAL]
4520 Eddies and mesoscale processes [OCEANOGRAPHY: PHYSICAL]
Cross-Topics:
  • ES - Ecology and Social Interactions
  • OM - Ocean Modeling
  • PS - Physical Oceanography: Mesoscale and Smaller

Abstracts Submitted to this Session:


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