Innovation and technology in marine science: AIMS' North West Shoals to Shore Research Program

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miles J. G. Parsons ◽  
Mark G. Meekan ◽  
Karen J. Miller ◽  
Michele Thums ◽  
James P. Gilmour
Keyword(s):  
Research Program ◽  
Spatial Dynamics ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Seismic Survey ◽  
Genetic Connectivity ◽  
Scientific Uncertainty ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
North West ◽  
Adaptive Monitoring

The North West Shoals to Shore Research Program began in July 2017 and encompasses four themes, each of which addresses major gaps in scientific knowledge relevant to the environmental management of the offshore petroleum industry in north-west Australia. The themes are: 1. Marine Noise Monitoring and Impacts: investigate selected potential impacts of exposure to a seismic survey on demersal fishes and infauna across different spatial and temporal scales. 2. Benthic Habitats and Demersal Biodiversity: understand physical and biological characteristics of the Ancient Coastline Key Ecological Feature (125 m) and the ecological processes that maintain benthic communities from the ancient to contemporary coastlines, focusing on the distribution and genetic connectivity of pearl oysters. 3. Protected and Iconic Species Movement, Distribution and Threats: determine biologically important areas for pygmy blue whales and hawksbill and green turtles. This will lead to better quantification and mitigation of the risks to megafauna posed by vessel movements, industrial infrastructure and activities. 4. Spatial Dynamics of Isolated Coral Reef Atolls: developing a bio-physical model for benthic and fish communities at the Rowley Shoals and an adaptive monitoring program that quantifies and predicts their spatial dynamics. In this talk, we will discuss planning and progress of the program achieved to date, including innovative and technological approaches used to address scientific uncertainty currently faced by industry.

Innovation and technology in marine science: AIMS' North West Shoals to Shore Research Program – an update

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 679
Author(s):  
Miles J.G. Parsons ◽  
Karen J. Miller ◽  
Michele Thums ◽  
James P. Gilmour ◽  
Luciana C. Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Habitat Model ◽  
Marine Science ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
North West ◽  
Air Gun ◽  
Adaptive Monitoring

In 2017, the Australian Institute of Marine Science and its partners commenced the North West Shoals to Shore Research Program. The program is designed to address significant scientific and environmental knowledge gaps pertinent to the management of the offshore petroleum industry, a key stakeholder in this ecologically and commercially important region of Australia. The program comprises four themes. 1. Marine noise monitoring and impacts: includes two seismic source (2600 cubic inch air-gun array) exposure experiments have been conducted to investigate selected responses by demersal fishes and pearl oysters across different spatial and temporal scales. 2. Seabed habitats and demersal biodiversity: seeks to understand the physical and biological characteristics of the ancient coastline key ecological feature around the 125 m depth contour and pearl oyster habitats offshore from Eighty Mile Beach. The work examines the ecological processes that maintain benthic communities on both ancient and contemporary coastlines 3. Protected and iconic species movement, distribution and threats: uses innovative sampling techniques to confirm biologically important areas for pygmy blue whales, hawksbill and green turtles. This will assist the quantification and mitigation of the risks vessel movements, industrial infrastructure and activities pose to marine megafauna on the Northwest Shelf. 4. Spatial dynamics of isolated coral reef atolls: develops a habitat model and adaptive monitoring program that informs the future condition of these remote coral reef atolls. Significant progress has been made by the program in 2018, including the development of innovative and technical approaches to sampling.

Adoption Decision and Sustainable Utilization of Soil Conservation Technologies: Empirical Evidence from North West Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 1853-1863
Author(s):  
Kassaye Gurebiyaw Legese ◽  
Taye Melese ◽  
Tadie Mire ◽  
Abebe Birara ◽  
Kefale Eniyew
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Soil Conservation ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Severe Problem ◽  
North West ◽  
Household Heads ◽  
North Gondar Zone

Soil is a crucial and precious natural resource that govern numerous ecological processes. However, in Ethiopia particularly in north Gondar zone, soil erosion is a severe problem and a major cause of the decline of agricultural productivity. The adoption and diffusion of soil and water conservation practices (SWC), as a way to tackle this challenge, has become an important issue in the development policy agenda in the zone. Therefore, this study was to identify factors affecting Soil conservation investments in the North Gondar zone. Data was collected through interviewed schedule, filed observation and focus group discussion. The multistage sampling technique was employed to select 206 sample households.  Both descriptive and econometrics model was used to analyze the collected data. A multivariate profit (MPV) model was used to analyze the effect of demographic, socioeconomic, market, institutional and biophysical related factors on the interdependent investment decisions of SWC practices using household survey. The MPV model analysis indicates that farmers invest a combination of practices at parcel level by considering substitution and complementarity effects of the practices. The results also revealed that age of household heads, literacy status of household heads, off-farm activity, distance of farmlands from homesteads, tropical livestock unit, and access to training were influence farmers’ investments in SWC practices. The overall results indicate that the identified physical, socioeconomic, and institutional factors influence promote or hinder investments in SWC practice so, policymakers should take into consideration these various factors in designing and implementing SWC policies and Programmers.

scholarly journals Innovative Techniques for Landscape Recovery after Clay Mining under Mediterranean Conditions

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3439
Author(s):  
Diana Turrión ◽  
Luna Morcillo ◽  
José Antonio Alloza ◽  
Alberto Vilagrosa
Keyword(s):  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Mine Reclamation ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Open Pit ◽  
Open Pit Mining ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Restoration Techniques ◽  
Innovative Techniques ◽  
Mediterranean Conditions

Open-pit mining results in profound modifications at different environmental scales that may persist for very long time periods, or even indefinitely. Considerable research efforts in mine reclamation strategies have been made, although reclamation failures are still common. In dry climates, such as in the Mediterranean Basin, successful actions may depend on features related to proper species selection and restoration techniques, which may substantially contribute to provide substrate stability and facilitate the regeneration of the main ecological processes. In this context, we developed the TECMINE case-study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and suitability of innovative restoration practices applied to clay-mine reclamation under Mediterranean conditions. The restoration strategy was designed at the landscape level with two main approaches: the recovery of natural geomorphology shapes and ecological restoration, including vegetation recovery and soil quality, based on proper reference ecosystems. After the geomorphological land remodeling, a combination of several innovative restoration techniques was implemented to reclaim plant communities and ecosystem functioning. These techniques involved: (i) accurate species selection according to microhabitat characteristics; (ii) high-quality plant production; (iii) surface remodeling to improve substrate stabilization; and (iv) implementing rainfall collection to enhance resources availability, soil fertility improvement and the amelioration of abiotic conditions for seedlings. Finally, we developed a monitoring program to assess the success of the implemented restoration techniques over time. The application of these innovative techniques has reported interesting results and represents a step forward in the improvement of mine restoration under Mediterranean climate.

scholarly journals Seismic Methods in Geothermal Water Resource Exploration: Case Study from Łódź Trough, Central Part of Poland

Geofluids ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomasz Maćkowski ◽  
Anna Sowiżdżał ◽  
Anna Wachowicz-Pyzik
Keyword(s):  
Estimation Error ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Geological Structure ◽  
Seismic Survey ◽  
Energy Potential ◽  
Geothermal Resources ◽  
Geothermal Waters ◽  
Seismic Methods ◽  
Geophysical Surveys

The geothermal waters constitute a specific type of water resources, very important from the point of view of their thermal energy potential. This potential, when utilized, supplies an ecological and renewable energy, which, after effective development, brings many environmental, social, and industrial benefits. The key element of any geothermal investment is the proper location of geothermal installation, which would guarantee the relevant hydrogeothermal parameters of the water intake. Hence, many studies and analyses are carried out in order to characterize the reservoir parameters, including the integrated geophysical methods. For decades, the geophysical surveys have been the trusty recognition methods of geological structure and petrophysical parameters of rock formations. Thus, they are widely applied by petroleum industry in exploration of conventional and unconventional (shale gas/oil, tight gas) hydrocarbon deposits. Advances in geophysical methods extended their applicability to many other scientific and industrial branches as, e.g., the seismic survey used in studies of geothermal aquifers. The following paper presents the opportunities provided by seismic methods applied to studies of geothermal resources in the central Poland where the geothermal waters are reservoired in both the Lower Cretaceous and the Lower Jurassic sedimentary successions. The presented results are obtained from a network of seismic profiles. An important advantage of the seismic survey is that they may support the selection of an optimal location of geothermal investment and determination of the geometry of geothermal aquifer. Furthermore, the application of geophysical methods can significantly contribute to the reduction of estimation error of groundwater reservoir temperature.

scholarly journals NASA-NPS Landscape Climate Change Vulnerability Project (LCCVP) Team Meeting at AMK Ranch

2013 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 183-184
Author(s):  
Andy Hansen ◽  
Tom Oliff
Keyword(s):  
Climate Adaptation ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Landscape Conservation ◽  
State University ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Montana State University ◽  
University Of Montana ◽  
Landscape Conservation Cooperatives

A NASA-funded research team met May 19-22 at the AMK Ranch for a semi-annual team workshop. Participants included: Montana State University – Andy Hansen, Tony Chang, Regan Nelson, Nate Piekielek Woods Hole Research Center – Patrick Jantz, Scott Zolkos NPS Inventory & Monitoring Program – John Gross, Bill Monahan Great Northern LCC – Tom Olliff NASA Ames – Forrest Melton, Jun Xiong Guest – Steve Running (University of Montana) Chef – Jodi Stevens The goal of the project is to demonstrate the four steps of climate adaptation planning in two US Department of Interior Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCCs) using NASA and other data and models. Objectives are: 1. Hindcast and forecast future climate and land use scenarios. 2. Assess the vulnerability of ecological processes and key habitat types. 3. Evaluate management options. 4. Design and implement management adaptation strategies. 5. Facilitate decision support.

Cetaceans and the petroleum industry—coexistence or mutual exclusion?

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 685
Author(s):  
John Polglaze
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Mutual Exclusion ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Seismic Survey ◽  
Underwater Noise ◽  
Marine Fauna

Legends, myths and plain old misinformation abound of whale migrations interrupted by international shipping, dolphin populations displaced by dredging activities, and of seismic survey campaigns resulting in disoriented, beached whales. While risks exist, in truth the Australian petroleum industry continues to demonstrate that it can successfully coexist productively alongside populations of cetacean. These whales and dolphins are seemingly able to at least tolerate, if not actually be undisturbed by, underwater noise. Other risks to cetaceans from oil and gas activities, whether actual or perceived, encompass vessel strike, turbidity plumes from dredging, port developments, underwater blasting, spills, the laying and operation of pipelines, and similar. URS Australia’s John Polglaze is a specialist in the environmental impact evaluation of underwater noise, and has over 15 years experience in marine environmental management and impact assessment following nearly 20 years service in the Royal Australian Navy. John presents on the range of environmental impact assessment challenges for the oil and gas industry in Australian coastal and offshore regions, and effective, pragmatic solutions for demonstrating low risks to cetaceans and other sensitive marine fauna. These include the application and limitations of computer-based models to predict underwater noise and blast propagation, the development of a risk assessment framework that has proven effective with state and Commonwealth regulators, and case studies of real-life interactions between the petroleum industry and cetacean populations. In particular, he will discuss how misunderstanding and misapprehension of these complex issues unnecessarily complicates the challenges of environmental compliance. This topic is timely, given that Australia’s rapidly increasing whale populations, coupled with the continued expansion of offshore petroleum activities, will lead to more frequent interaction between and overlap of cetaceans and oil and gas activities.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW 2000

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 80
Author(s):  
S.J. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Management ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Environmental Reporting ◽  
North West ◽  
Natural Gas Pipelines ◽  
The North ◽  
Timor Sea ◽  
Epbc Act

Last year the petroleum industry witnessed the enactment of new legislation both at Commonwealth and State levels. The principal legislative change to environmental management was the introduction of the Commonwealth Government’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act, 2000 (EPBC Act). South Australia and Victoria also implemented new Petroleum Acts and/ or Regulations.Construction of the Eastern Gas Pipeline was also completed last year, whilst preliminary approvals and environmental assessment continues for the Papua New Guinea, Timor Sea and Tasmania Natural Gas pipelines. Offshore exploration continued, particularly in the North West Shelf, Otway Basin, Timor Sea and Bass Strait.Other critical areas of environmental management included greenhouse gases, national pollution inventory reporting and the increasing requirements for environmental approval and management under various state environmental legislation.This paper provides an overview of environmental developments in the petroleum industry during the year 2000, in particular, the implication of new legislation, new technology, e-commerce and a greater focus on environmental reporting.

DEMETER HIGH RESOLUTION 3D SEISMIC SURVEY—REVITALISED DEVELOPMENT AND EXPLORATION ON THE NORTH WEST SHELF, AUSTRALIA

2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 101 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.J. Bennett ◽  
M.R. Bussell
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Seismic Survey ◽  
Future Application ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Exploration And Development

The newly acquired 3,590 km2 Demeter 3D high resolution seismic survey covers most of the North West Shelf Venture (NWSV) area; a prolific hydrocarbon province with ultimate recoverable reserves of greater than 30 Tcf gas and 1.5 billion bbls of oil and natural gas liquids. The exploration and development of this area has evolved in parallel with the advent of new technologies, maturing into the present phase of revitalised development and exploration based on the Demeter 3D.The NWSV is entering a period of growing gas market demand and infrastructure expansion, combined with a more diverse and mature supply portfolio of offshore fields. A sequence of satellite fields will require optimised development over the next 5–10 years, with a large number of wells to be drilled.The NWSV area is acknowledged to be a complex seismic environment that, until recently, was imaged by a patchwork of eight vintage (1981–98) 3D seismic surveys, each acquired with different parameters. With most of the clearly defined structural highs drilled, exploration success in recent years has been modest. This is due primarily to severe seismic multiple contamination masking the more subtle and deeper exploration prospects. The poor quality and low resolution of vintage seismic data has also impeded reservoir characterisation and sub-surface modelling. These sub-surface uncertainties, together with the large planned expenditure associated with forthcoming development, justified the need for the Demeter leading edge 3D seismic acquisition and processing techniques to underpin field development planning and reserves evaluations.The objective of the Demeter 3D survey was to re-image the NWSV area with a single acquisition and processing sequence to reduce multiple contamination and improve imaging of intra-reservoir architecture. Single source (133 nominal fold), shallow solid streamer acquisition combined with five stages of demultiple and detailed velocity analysis are considered key components of Demeter.The final Demeter volumes were delivered early 2005 and already some benefits of the higher resolution data have been realised, exemplified in the following:Successful drilling of development wells on the Wanaea, Lambert and Hermes oil fields and identification of further opportunities on Wanaea-Cossack and Lambert- Hermes;Dramatic improvements in seismic data quality observed at the giant Perseus gas field helping define seven development well locations;Considerably improved definition of fluvial channel architecture in the south of the Goodwyn gas field allowing for improved well placement and understanding of reservoir distribution;Identification of new exploration prospects and reevaluation of the existing prospect portfolio. Although the Demeter data set has given significant bandwidth needed for this revitalised phase of exploration and development, there remain areas that still suffer from poor seismic imaging, providing challenges for the future application of new technologies.

MANAGING HELICOPTER RISK

2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 657 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Hart
Keyword(s):  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Simulator Training ◽  
Flight Crew ◽  
Training Tool ◽  
Aviation Policy ◽  
Active Involvement ◽  
Technical Issues ◽  
Technical Specifications ◽  
Technical Failures

Annually, a million hours are flown by helicopters for the international petroleum industry. About 90% of this flying is offshore, and involves around 10 million passengers. Each year some 25–35 accidents are recorded, an average of 22 passengers and crew lose their lives, and a higher number are injured. Some 45% of these accidents stem from technical causes, a similar number are pilot related, and the remainder are linked to other causes. Helicopter accident rates are 10 times higher than those of airline travel.Strategies to tackle both technical failures and pilot related accidents have emerged, although application of these strategies around the world is inconsistent.One way in which helicopter technical issues have been addressed is by the introduction of Health and Usage Monitoring (HUMS) equipment. To tackle the pilot related accidents, lessons have been drawn from the airline industry’s use of Flight Data Management (FDM) programs, which allow pilots to learn from deviations from pre-defined normal parameters during routine flying. The helicopter version of FDM is the Helicopter Operations Monitoring Program (HOMP). Another important training tool is flight simulator training to allow simulated emergencies to be flown and practiced.Petroleum companies have the opportunity through their own aviation policy and standards to stipulate flight crew experience and training, the technical specifications for their contracted helicopters and the application of advanced safety programs, such as HUMS, and HOMP. Compliance and continuous improvement in line with these standards can be verified and facilitated through operational and technical audit. Only with such active involvement can helicopter risk be managed downwards.

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