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The CSS projects

Gulf of Mexico

P15 - Mohn-Sverdrup Center Gulf of Mexico HYCOM (MSC-GOM)

P15-domain description Model domain and topography

Project name, acronym
MSC-GOM

Domain
The model covers the Gulf of Mexico with 5 km resolution (conformal mapping grid)

Objectives
Real-time monitoring and prediction system, hindcast studies, research. The objective is to forecast the Loop Current and Eddies as they approach the Northern Shelf of the GOM.

Customers:
Research, oil & gas industry (via the joint venture Ocean Numerics Ltd.). The model is part of the Ocean FOCUS forecast service by Ocean Numerics Ltd. Hurricane simulations have been performed and funded by Ocean Weather Inc.

Funding aspects:
This project has been initially set up during the TOPAZ project funded by the EC. It is further supported by Ocean Numerics and Shell E&P.

Downscaling strategy
One-way and off-line nesting offer sufficient flexibility for operating the nested model. HYCOM-to-HYCOM downscaling, the outer models are TOPAZ and HYCOM 1/12th. The downscaling method is from that of Browning and Kreiss (1982, 1986) with bilinear interpolation to the nested rotated horizontal grid. The frequency of nesting conditions are 6-hourly and daily respectively from TOPAZ and HYCOM 1/12th. Astronomical tides are not included.

The GOM model uses local data assimilation of altimetry data provided by CLS. An Ensemble Optimal Interpolation (EnOI) has been set up based on an OI version of the Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF). The monitoring and prediction system is driven by external inputs, atmospheric forcing fields from ECMWF. The predictions are run weekly on a forecast horizon of 2 weeks.

Why does this project need large-scale estimates? The inflow through the Yucatan Strait needs to be correctly represented. High quality lateral boundary conditions of ocean parameter are absolutely vital.
Strategy for validation of boundary conditions? The incoming volume fluxes, kinetic energy and water mass properties are monitored in the nested model and compared to available observations and to the outer model.
What particular GODAE estimates does this project use, how often, etc.? The project uses TOPAZ boundary conditions for 3D ocean parameters. The frequency of nesting files is 6-hours. The project also uses NRL HYCOM 1/12th boundary conditions for 3D ocean parameters. The frequency of nesting is daily.
Through which Modelling/Assimilation Center? TOPAZ is provided by the Mohn-Sverdrup Center at the Nansen Center, Bergen. HYCOM 1/12th is provided by the NRL, Stennis, via the NOPP-HYCOM project.

Project status
The forecasts are running weekly since 2004, HYCOM has been upgraded in April 2006. The model forecasts are served to the oil and gas industry operating in the Gulf of Mexico by Ocean Numerics Ltd. Hurricane hindcasts have been run for hurricanes Andrew (1992), Lili (2002) have been delivered to the Mineral Management Service (MMS) and Ivan (2004) is licensed by Oceanweather Inc.
The NRL-GOM nesting has been successfully integrated on a test period of one year.

Web: http://msc.nersc.no/gulf_mexico.php

 

(Last Updated: 17-01-2008)