Offshore Physical Environmental Guidelines

Offshore Physical Environmental Guidelines [PDF 424 KB]

National Energy Board
Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board
Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board

Offshore Physical Environmental Guidelines

September 2008

Copyright/Permission to Reproduce

Table of Contents

Abbreviations and Definitions

1.0 Introduction
1.1 Environmental Monitoring Program Development
1.2 Environmental Monitoring Program Description

2.0 Applicable Regulations/Legislation
2.1 Meteorology
2.2 Oceanography
2.3 Ice Management

3.0 Program Description
3.1 Observations
3.2 Meteorology, Oceanography and Ice Observing
3.2.1 Parameters to be Observed
3.2.2 Oceanographic Parameters to be Observed
3.2.3 Ice Management Parameters to be Observed
3.3 Collection Specifications
3.4 Real-Time Meteorological, Oceanographic and Ice Reporting
3.4.1 Marine Weather Reporting
3.4.2 Aviation Reporting
3.4.3 Metadata Reporting
3.4.4 Oceanographic Data Reporting
3.4.5 Ice Reporting Procedures
3.5 Equipment Requirements
3.5.1 Selection and Installation of Monitoring Equipment
3.5.2 Instruments
3.5.3 Monitoring Equipment Specifications
3.5.4 Integrated Reporting Equipment
3.5.5 Equipment Approval Process
3.5.6 New Technologies

4.0 Forecasting
4.1 Site-Specific Marine Weather and Sea State Forecasting
4.2 Aviation Forecasting
4.3 Ice and Iceberg Forecasting

5.0 Quality Assurance and Quality Control
5.1 Weather Observing Program
5.2 Weather and Sea State Forecast Verification
5.3 Ice Forecast Verification

6.0 Training
6.1 Meteorologist
6.2 Weather Observer
6.2.1 Aviation Weather Observer
6.2.2 Marine Weather Observer
6.3 Ice Observer
6.4 Oceanographer

7.0 Reports and Data
7.1 Environmental Monitoring Program Description
7.2 Ice Management Plan
7.3 Physical Environment Report
7.3.1 Meteorological Data Report
7.3.2 Forecast Verification Report
7.3.3 Oceanographic Data Report
7.3.4 Ice Data Report
7.4 Equipment Inspection Reports

8.0 References

Top of Page

List of Tables

Top of Page

List of Figures

Top of Page

Appendices

A.0 Forecast Verification
A.1 Overview
A.2 Recommended Parameters for Verification
A.3 Observations
A.4 Forecasts
A.5 Time Series Plots
A.6 Verification Statistics
A.6.1 Error
A.6.2 Bias
A.6.3 Mean Absolute Error
A.6.4 Root Mean Square Error
A.6.5 Skill Score
A.7 Threshold Analysis
A.7.1 Percent Correct
A.7.2 Probability of Detection
A.7.3 False Alarm Rate
A.4.4 Missed Event Rate

B.0 Ice Management Program
B.1 Overview
B.2 Ice Management Plan Elements
B.3 Joint Ice Management
B.4 Ice Reports

C.0 Monitoring Equipment Specifications

D.0 Monitoring Equipment Data Sheet

E.0 Meteorological Metadata Report Format

F.0 Marine Weather Reporting Notes

G.0 Equipment List

H.0 Recommended Data Format

I.0 Current Meter Metadata Report

J.0 Contact Information

Top of Page

Abbreviations and Definitions

Table i -1 - Terms and Abbreviations

The terms and abbreviations listed in Table i-1 are used in this document.

Term/ Abbreviation Description
Aviation Weather Observer

Qualified individual tasked with aviation weather observing duties who

  • has a detailed practical knowledge of and experience in all observing standards and techniques related to aviation weather observing;
  • is conversant with relevant WMO standards and guidelines; and
  • understands the data requirements for forecasting and climatological purposes.

Aviation weather observer qualification is a responsibility of the Operator.

Aviation Weather Observing Aviation weather observing procedure
Aviation Weather Reporting Aviation weather reporting procedure
CAPP Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
CAR Canadian Aviation Regulation
CCG Canadian Coast Guard
CIS Canadian Ice Service
C-NLOPB Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board
CNSOPB Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board
CTD Conductivity - Temperature - Depth. Profile data used to determine seawater properties, e.g. density, temperature, salinity.
Drilling Regulations Canada Oil and Gas Drilling Regulations
Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Drilling Regulations
Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Drilling Regulations
GFA A graphical aviation forecast in chart format covering Canadian Domestic Airspace issued by MSC for Nav Canada.
ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization
Ice Forecasting Contractor Contractor responsible for Installation sea ice and iceberg forecasting.
Ice Management Contractor Contractor responsible for Installation ice management and observing program.
Ice Management Plan A description prepared by the Operator that describes the offshore Ice Management Program. Submitted by the Operator to the Regulator.
Ice Management Program Ice management activities for an Installation.
ICE The Shipboard Ice Code. A formatted ice observation defined in MANMAR. A format for marine weather, sea state and ice reports.
ICEBERG The Iceberg Message. A formatted iceberg observation defined in MANICE. This code was developed by MSC and IIP and supplements the WMO ice code.
Ice Observer

Qualified individual tasked with ice observing and management duties in accordance with the Ice Management Plan, who has received training in:

  • ice monitoring and tracking techniques;
  • ice deflection techniques;
  • ice characterization and reporting (including ice codes);
  • the use of radar for ice detection; and
  • radio communication.

Ice observer qualification is a responsibility of the Operator.

Ice Observing Ice observing procedure
Ice Reporting Ice reporting procedure
IIP U.S. Coast Guard International Ice Patrol
Industry The offshore petroleum industry.
Installation The offshore exploration or production installation (e.g. semisubmersible, drillship, fixed production platform, FPSO vessel) or a group of these installations.
Installation Regulations Canada Oil and Gas Installation Regulations
Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Installation Regulations
Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Installation Regulations
MANAIR Manual of Standards and Procedures for Aviation Weather Forecasts
MANICE Manual of Ice Observing. Also referred to in the context of an ice observing standard.
MANMAR Manual of Marine Observations. A Canadian guide to the general marine observations and reporting using WMO Code FM13.
MANOBS Manual of Surface Weather Observations. Also referred to in the context of an (land-based) aviation observing standard.
Marine Weather Observer

Qualified individual who is tasked with marine weather and sea state observing duties and who:

  • has a detailed practical knowledge of and experience in all observing standards and techniques related to marine weather observing;
  • is conversant with relevant WMO standards and guidelines; and
  • understands the data requirements for forecasting and climatological purposes.

Marine weather observer qualification is a responsibility of the Operator.

Marine Weather and Sea State Observing Marine weather and sea state observing procedure.
Marine Weather and Sea State Reporting Marine weather and sea state reporting procedure.
MEDS Marine Environmental Data Service
Metadata Metadata or "data about data" describe the content, quality, condition, and other characteristics of data.
METAR A character-based format for an hourly aviation weather observation. Also referred to as the aviation weather report.
Meteorologist A qualified individual responsible for weather forecasting. Meteorologist minimum qualifications are described in these PEGs.
Meteorology Program Meteorological monitoring activities for an Installation.
Monitoring Program Weather, sea state and ice measurement, observation and reporting programs for an Installation, including all management of these programs.
Monitoring Program Management Procedure for management of a Monitoring Program.
MSC Meteorological Service of Canada
NAVCAN NAV CANADA, the Canadian provider of civil air navigation services.
NEB National Energy Board
NWS National Weather Service (of the United States)
Oceanographic Contractor Contractor responsible for providing, installing and maintaining oceanographic equipment.
Oceanographic Observing Oceanographic observing procedure
Oceanographic Program Ocean monitoring activities for an Installation
Oceanographic Reporting Oceanographic reporting procedure
Oceanographer A qualified oceanographer is a graduate of a specified program in oceanographic studies at a recognized university.
Operator The Operator of the offshore installation.
PEGs Offshore Physical Environmental Guidelines (this document).
PMO MSC Port Meteorological Officer.
Policies & Procedures Observing and Reporting policies and procedures developed for the Offshore.
Program Description An outline prepared by the Operator that describes the offshore monitoring program. Submitted by the Operator to the Regulator.
Production and Conservation Regulations Canada Oil and Gas Production and Conservation Regulations
Newfoundland Offshore Area Petroleum Production and Conservation Regulations
Nova Scotia Offshore Area Petroleum Production and Conservation Regulations
Regulations Legislation applicable to environmental programs for the Offshore Petroleum industry (listed in Section 1 of these PEGs).
Regulator C-NLOPB, CNSOPB, and/or NEB as appropriate
SAWRS Supplementary Aviation Weather Observations (an obsolete aviation observing standard formerly used in the Offshore)
Synoptic Ship A report based on WMO Code FM13 and also described in MANMAR. These reports were formerly referred to as MANMAR reports but the term MANMAR has become obsolete, except where references to the manual are noted.
SPECI A character-based format for a special aviation weather observation.
TAF An Aerodrome Forecast that is intended to be used wholly or partially for the arrival, departure, and movement or servicing of aircraft.
TC Transport Canada
WAVEOB A formatted spectral wave data report.
Weather Forecasting Contractor Contractor responsible for weather and sea state forecasting program on an Installation.
Weather Observer Instructor Qualified individual with considerable practical experience in aviation and marine observing, references to that competence plus experience and training in instructional techniques.
Weather Observing Contractor Contractor responsible for weather and sea state observing program on an Installation.
WMO World Meteorological Organization
WMO Code FM13 International report format of surface weather observation from a sea station.[16]
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