Measuring Waves and Currents near Sable Island

(March 2004)

Ocean processes in the Sable Island area are generally the result of the complex topography of the Scotian Shelf, the confluence of three major currents, semi-diurnal tidal currents, and meteorological events, all of which influence circulation patterns and sea state. Monitoring of the physical environment is an important operational and regulatory requirement for the offshore oil and gas industry.

Located roughly south and southeast of the island, Venture, North Triumph and Thebaud are active Tier 1 gas production platforms of the Sable Offshore Energy Project. Since the early 1990s, oceanographic data for the area have been collected by Coastal Ocean Associates. Wave and current conditions are monitored at shallow sites (~25m) at Venture and Thebaud, and at a deeper site at North Triumph (~80m). COA uses Waverider buoys to collect data on waves (height, length, period), and Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) to acquire data on current speed and direction. The data are used to improve safety for routine support activities (vessel offloading, pipeline inspection, heavy lift operations, personnel transfers etc). The data are also used in engineering design studies for future offshore facilities, and for weather forecast verification.

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Thanks to Bruce Batstone, Mark Batt and Vincent Leys of Coastal Ocean Associates Inc., Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

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