Operate with Confidence: How EddyWatch® Delivers Real-Time Ocean Current Intelligence for Safer Offshore Operations

EddyWatch®: Real-Time Ocean Current Monitoring for Safer Offshore Operations

For offshore operators, navigating the Gulf of Mexico and the waters from Trinidad to Brazil presents unique challenges, especially with strong ocean currents like the Loop Current and the North Brazil Current. Woods Hole Group’s EddyWatch® service provides a vital solution, offering comprehensive monitoring and forecasting of these powerful currents to ensure safety, reduce nonproductive time, and support operational efficiency.

Core Services

EddyWatch® focuses on critical oceanographic features such as the Loop Current, North Brazil Current, and associated eddies and rings. These currents can significantly impact offshore facilities, making accurate forecasting essential for daily planning, safety measures, and facility design. With EddyWatch®, operators have the information they need to make informed decisions and minimize risks in real-time.

Advanced Data Collection and Analysis

Using satellite-tracked drifting buoys, EddyWatch® collects real-time data on current speed, direction, and key ocean phenomena. This data provides deep insights into how currents evolve and affect specific lease areas, enabling operators to adapt quickly to changing conditions.

Detailed Reporting for Enhanced Decision-Making

Operators receive detailed weekly reports, including the current positions of ocean features, drift buoy tracks, and summaries for individual lease areas. These reports, which also contain feature progression figures, are essential for maintaining situational awareness. The executive summaries offer a clear snapshot of conditions, while detailed figures allow for deeper analysis.

MetOcean Mapper: A Powerful Online Tool

EddyWatch® users can access data through the MetOcean Mapper, an interactive online tool that provides real-time access to multiple data streams. This tool makes it easy to track the position and movement of oceanographic features, giving operators a comprehensive view of the environment they are working in.

Satellite Imagery and Remote Sensing

Satellite imagery has been an integral part of EddyWatch® since 1984, particularly data from NOAA satellites. This imagery is crucial for detecting oceanic fronts and currents, providing a reliable method for analyzing sea surface temperature and other oceanographic conditions that affect offshore operations.

Why EddyWatch® Matters

With its robust data collection, real-time reporting, and advanced technology, EddyWatch® is an indispensable resource for offshore operators. By providing accurate, timely oceanographic insights, it helps ensure safer, more efficient operations, even in the face of powerful ocean currents.