NORSOK STANDARD

N-002
Edition 2, October 2010

Collection of metocean data

This NORSOK standard is developed with broad petroleum industry participation by interested parties in the
Norwegian petroleum industry and is owned by the Norwegian petroleum industry represented by The Norwegian
Oil Industry Association (OLF) and The Federation of Norwegian Industry. Please note that whilst every effort has
been made to ensure the accuracy of this NORSOK standard, neither OLF nor The Federation of Norwegian
Industry or any of their members will assume liability for any use thereof. Standards Norway is responsible for the
administration and publication of this NORSOK standard.
Standards Norway
Strandveien 18, P.O. Box 242
N-1326 Lysaker
NORWAY
Copyrights reserved

Telephone: + 47 67 83 86 00
Fax: + 47 67 83 86 01
Email: petroleum@standard.no
Website: www.standard.no/petroleum

NORSOK standard N-002

Edition 2, October 2010

Foreword

Introduction

Scope

2.1
2.2

Normative and informative references

Normative references
Informative references

5
5
5

3.1
3.2

Terms, definitions and abbreviations

Terms and definitions
Abbreviations

5
5
6

4.1
4.2

Common requirements
General
Instrumentation

6
6
6

5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5

Meteorology
General
Weather observation and reporting for helicopter operations
Weather observation and reporting for weather forecasting services
Weather observation and reporting for climatologically purposes
Weather observation and reporting for operational needs

7
7
7
8
8
8

6.1
6.2

Oceanography
General
Measurements and observations

9
9
9

Data quality control

Annex A (informative) Recommended instrument accuracy and typical operational performance

11

Annex B (informative) Potential application for metocean information

16

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Foreword
The NORSOK standards are developed by the Norwegian petroleum industry to ensure adequate safety,
value adding and cost effectiveness for petroleum industry developments and operations. Furthermore,
NORSOK standards are, as far as possible, intended to replace oil company specifications and serve as
references in the authorities regulations.
The NORSOK standards are normally based on recognised international standards, adding the provisions
deemed necessary to fill the broad needs of the Norwegian petroleum industry. Where relevant, NORSOK
standards will be used to provide the Norwegian industry input to the international standardisation process.
Subject to development and publication of international standards, the relevant NORSOK standard will be
withdrawn.
The NORSOK standards are developed according to the consensus principle generally applicable for most
standards work and according to established procedures defined in NORSOK A-001.
The NORSOK standards are prepared and published with support by The Norwegian Oil Industry
Association (OLF), The Federation of Norwegian Industry, Norwegian Shipowners Association and The
Petroleum Safety Authority Norway.
NORSOK standards are administered and published by Standards Norway.
Annex A and Annex B are informative.

Introduction
Offshore metocean monitoring systems can vary from simple weather stations for aviation purposes to
complete data acquisition systems incorporating a wide range of sensors and sophisticated data
processing, display, storage and transmission features. By providing real-time information for operational
use and long-term records for engineering design purposes, offshore metocean monitoring systems play
an important role in ensuring safe offshore operations.
This NORSOK standard is intended as an initial reference for offshore operators when planning metocean
monitoring equipment on offshore installations. It covers both statutory requirements and operators own
requirements, spanning applications such as weather forecasting, climate statistics, helicopter traffic,
tanker loading, marine operations etc.
The collection of metocean data is normally the result of requirements imposed by PSA or other authority,
and the operators own needs. When specifying a metocean data collection system, this standard shall be
supplemented by a list stating which requirements to fulfil. This NORSOK standard contains the necessary
information for the requirements normally imposed by PSA, and a check-list to identify operators own
needs.

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Scope

This NORSOK standard presents functional requirements and common principles for the collection of
metocean data, i.e. meteorological and oceanographic data.

Normative and informative references

The following standards include provisions and guidelines which, through reference in this text, constitute
provisions and guidelines of this NORSOK standard. Latest issue of the references shall be used unless
otherwise agreed. Other recognized standards may be used provided it can be shown that they meet the
requirements of the referenced standards.

2.1

Normative references

NMI, 1997:

Norwegian Meteorological Institute: Report 18/97 KLIMA. Recommended format

(NORSOK) for the delivery of metocean data
BSL G 7-1,
Civil Aviation Authority Norway: Forskrift om flyvrtjeneste (2008-07-01)
BSL D 5-1,
Civil Aviation Authority Norway: Forskrift om kontinentalsokkelflyging Ervervsmessig luftfart til og fra helikopterdekk p farty og innretninger til havs
(2008-01-01)
ICAO Doc 9328-AN/908, Manual of Runway Visual Range Observing and Reporting Practices, ICAO, 2005
PSS 78,
The Practical Salinity Scale 1978
WMO-No. 8,
Guide to Meteorological Instruments and Methods of Observation, WMO 2008
Geneva
WMO-No. 49,
Technical Regulations, Vol II, Meteorological Service for International Air
Navigation, WMO 2004, Geneva
WMO-No. 306,
Manual on Codes, Volume I.1, WMO 1995, Geneva
NOTE The WMO is the major international reference on many of the topics discussed herein. The technical documentation of
WMO is extensive; therefore this standard makes specific references to relevant parts of WMO documentation. Furthermore, NMI
has accepted the responsibility to provide easy access to updated versions of the WMO publications referenced herein.

2.2

Informative references

WMO-No. 842,

Guide to the Provision of Meteorological Service for International Helicopter

Operations, WMO/ICAO 1996, Geneva

NOTE The following handbooks (in Norwegian only) (distributed by NMI) are standard equipment at all observing stations:
NMI: Meteorologisk Kode, SHIP, Maritime stasjoner
NMI: Meteorologiske koder for flyvrtjenesten
NMI: Veiledning for meteorologiske mlinger offshore

Terms, definitions and abbreviations

For the purposes of this NORSOK standard, the following terms, definitions and abbreviations apply.

3.1

Terms and definitions

3.1.1
shall
verbal form used to indicate requirements strictly to be followed in order to conform to this NORSOK
standard and from which no deviation is permitted, unless accepted by all involved parties

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3.1.2
should
verbal form used to indicate that among several possibilities one is recommended as particularly suitable,
without mentioning or excluding others, or that a certain course of action is preferred but not necessarily
required
3.1.3
may
verbal form used to indicate a course of action permissible within the limits of this NORSOK standard
3.1.4
can
verbal form used for statements of possibility and capability, whether material, physical or casual

3.2

Abbreviations

BSL
bestemmelser for sivil luftfart
CTD
conductivity-temperature-depth sensor
FM 13-XII Ext. SHIP
Format description of the report SHIP
FM 15-XIII Ext. METAR Format description of the report METAR
FM 16-XIII Ext. SPECI Format description of he report SPECI
ICAO
International Civil Aviation Organization
METAR
aviation routine weather report
metocean meteorological and oceanographic
MOB
man over board
MOR
meteorological optical range
NMI
Norwegian Meteorological Institute
PSA
Petroleum Safety Authority Norway
PSU
practical salinity unit
RVR
runway visual range
SAR
search and rescue
SHIP
report of surface observation from a sea station
SPECI
aviation selected special weather report
UTC
universal time coordinated
WMO
World Meteorological Organization

Common requirements

4.1

General

Procedures, which ensure the proper functioning of the measuring and recording system, described in this
NORSOK standard as well as instrument accuracy and calibration, shall be established and maintained.
Qualified personnel shall carry out observations, select, install, check and maintain the equipment and
repair any faults or malfunctions. Service and calibration interval on equipment shall be maximum one
year. When new types of instruments are introduced, a notification shall be given to all regular receivers of
data.
Time references given in UTC shall be recorded together with the measured data or derived parameters.
The time reference should not be dependent on manual setting following a possible stop in operation of the
system. Local user interfaces should show both UTC and local time, clearly marked.

4.2

Instrumentation

The accuracy, range, type and location of the instruments should be determined with due regard to the
purpose of the recordings.

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The required measurement uncertainty of metocean recordings should be chosen in accordance with
Annex A.
NOTE

Annex A is based upon the table in Annex 1.B of WMO-No. 8.

Meteorology

5.1

General

Details on instrument accuracy and calibration are found in WMO-No. 8.

Part I - Measurement of Meteorological Variables
Part III - Chapter 4 Testing, Calibration and Intercomparison
Data that cannot be measured by means of instruments shall be obtained by observation by qualified
observers. Observers shall have completed relevant training at NMI, or an equivalent course. During the
first year of active observation duty, a refresher/repetition course shall be completed.

5.2

Weather observation and reporting for helicopter operations

The specifications given herein do only address environmental conditions, and do not constitute a
complete system for offshore helicopter operations. BSL G 7-1 and BSL D 5-1 give relevant regulations for
helicopter operations.
A complete aviation routine weather report is specified in WMO-No. 306, under code FM 15-XIII Ext.
METAR. The message consists of information derived from instrumental measurements and manual
observations taken by a qualified observer, see 5.1. The parameters included are

wind direction,
wind speed,
visibility (according to METAR specifications, and RVR, if available),
weather,
cloud,
dew-point temperature,
air temperature,
air pressure (atmospheric pressure at nautical height),
significant wave height,
sea surface temperature.

The wind measurements from the top of derrick are normally not representative for the wind field at the
helicopter deck. A separate wind sensor shall be installed near the helideck to measure values
representative for the wind field at the helicopter deck. This requirement may be waived if it can be clearly
demonstrated that this is not necessary.
Experience has shown that this is best achieved if the location of the wind sensor is selected to minimize
the influence from the construction itself, e.g. living quarters, cranes etc. This means that top of derrick or
mast is the best choice in most cases.
The measurement of these parameters does not replace the need for an easily perceptible wind cone.
The observations shall be recorded in accordance with WMO-No. 306, Section A, pp 25-36.
In addition to METAR, a code for special reports is specified in WMO-No. 306, under code FM 16-XIII Ext.
SPECI.
The criteria for, and frequency of, issue of METARs and SPECIs is the responsibility of the relevant
aviation regulations. International recommendations may be found in WMO-No. 842 (Chapter 4).

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5.3

Edition 2, October 2010

Weather observation and reporting for weather forecasting services

A complete weather observation report is specified in WMO-No. 306, under code FM 13-XII Ext. SHIP.
The message consists of information derived from instrumental measurements and manual observations
taken by a qualified observer, see 5.1. The parameters included are

wind direction,
wind speed,
air pressure,
air temperature,
sea surface temperature,
humidity,
wave height,
wave period,
clouds,
visibility (MOR),
weather,
icing.

Observations shall be made at standard synoptic hours, expressed in terms of UTC, at which, by
international agreement, meteorological observations are made simultaneously throughout the globe.
Standard synoptic hours are 00, 03, ... 21 UTC. The observations shall be recorded in accordance with
WMO-No. 306, under code FM 13-XII Ext. SHIP (Section A, pp. 7-24).

5.4

Weather observation and reporting for climatologically purposes

5.4.1
General
In addition to the data collected for the weather report (SHIP-format), the wave parameters: maximum
wave height, peak period and wave direction, shall be included, if available. The normal recording interval
shall be 1 h, and the resolution of the data shall be in accordance with the instrument accuracy.
There is presently no WMO or other internationally recognised format for this sort of data. A flexible format
in extensive use in Norwegian waters is documented in NMI, 1997. The development and documentation
of this format (according to user requirements) is the responsibility of NMI, and this format should be used
for delivery of climatologic data to NMI.
5.4.2
Annual reports
Annual reports shall be issued. They shall include a description of the recording methods and contain an
assessment of data quality, frequency tables, calculations of mean values and extreme values as well as
descriptions of special incidents.
The data should be presented in such a way as to allow other users to carry out extreme value analyses
without having to resort to the original unprocessed data, for instance by presenting frequency tables
including cumulative distributions for the year being reported upon as well as for the total data set if it
consists of multiple years.
In the case of extreme environmental conditions of significance to safety conditions or to working
environmental conditions, separate descriptions of these conditions should be included.

5.5

Weather observation and reporting for operational needs

The operator may have operational needs for metocean information. If such needs are identified, a plan for
collection, storing and distribution of such data should be established. The plan should include a list of all
required metocean parameters. A check-list including potential applications is given in Annex B.

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The metocean parameters should preferably be selected from the parameter lists in 5.2 and 5.3. If these
parameters do not meet the operators need, a specific reference to relevant WMO, or other available
publication, should be established. Requirements for sensor location should be given.

Oceanography

6.1

General

In the context of this NORSOK standard, the term oceanography shall mean

ocean currents at specified depths,

water level,
sea temperature at specified depths,
salt content (salinity) at specified depths,
oxygen content at specified depths,
icebergs, size and drift,
sea ice.

NOTE Ocean waves and sea surface temperature are defined as part of meteorology, and covered
in Clause 5.

Apart from ocean currents and water level, the measurements and observation of oceanographic
parameters are not commonly included in platform metocean systems. The operator shall, however,
consider his own need for collecting such data contingent upon the natural conditions at the location, the
inadequacy of the data basis, the type of structure or installation, and the operational situation of the
facility. A check-list is given in Annex B.

6.2

Measurements and observations

Ocean currents should be measured at fixed depths (or bins), and at least include three depths in shallow
waters: near surface, mid depth and near bottom.
For measurements in deeper waters, the following depths should be considered in addition to near surface
and near bottom: 50 m, 100 m, 150 m, 200 m, 300 m and every 200 m to 3 m above the seabed.
The mean speed and direction of ocean currents shall be recorded at least once per hour. Measurements
of sea temperature and salinity should be performed as an integrated activity. If Nansen bottles or similar
equipment are used, data should be recorded at standard depths: 0 m, 5 m, 10 m, 20 m, 30 m, 50 m, 75
m, 100 m, 125 m, 150 m, 200 m, 250 m, 300 m, 400 m, 500 m, 600 m, 800 m etc.
If a CTD is used for measuring temperature and salinity, data should be stored for at least every 0,5 bar.
Oxygen content, if required, should be measured at a subset of the temperature/salinity depths given
above. However, the number of depths may be considerably reduced.
The observation of sea ice and icebergs (size and drift), can be performed by combining e.g. manual
observations, instrument recordings and remote sensing.

Data quality control

Procedures shall be established to ensure that collected data are processed and standard analyses
carried out in such a way that the quality of the data may be verified. The analyses should be sufficiently
extensive to allow all significant errors to be discovered. The data should be compared to other recorded
data to the extent this is practicable.

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Recorded data together with a report concerning data quality should be submitted to NMI within a month
after the completion of the recording period. The recording period should typically be one month. The data
shall be submitted by way of a computer readable medium in an agreed format. Necessary documentation
shall accompany the data.

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Annex A
(informative)
Recommended instrument accuracy and typical operational performance

Table A.1 is based on the very similar table presented in Annex 1.B, pp 19-24, chapter 1 of WMO-No. 8. A system built according to these
recommendations will fulfil the requirements set by NMI and PSA.
Table A.1 Recommended instrument accuracy and typical operational performance
(1)
Variable

1. Temperature
1.1 Air temperature
1.2 Extremes of air
temperature
1.3 Sea-surface
temperature

2. Humidity
2.1 Dewpoint
temperature

(2)
Range

(3)
Reported
resolution

(4)
Mode of
measurement/
observation

(5)
Required
measurement
uncertainty

(6)
Sensor
time
constant

(7)
Output
averaging
time

(8)
Typical
operational
performance

-40 to +40 C

0,1 K

0,1 K

20 s

1 min

0,2 K

-40 to +40 C

0,1 K

0,1 K

20 s

1 min

0,2 K

-2 to +40 C

0,1 K

0,1 K

20 s

1 min

0,2 K

< -60 to
+35C

0,1 K

0,1 K

20 s

1 min

0,5 K

2.2 Relative
humidity
5 to 100 %

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1%

3 %

40 s

1 min

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3 to 5 %

(9)
Remarks

Operational
performance and
effective time
constant may be
affected by the
design of
thermometer solar
radiation screen.

If measured directly.
Tending to 0,1 C
when relative
humidity nearing
saturation.
Solid state
sensors
may
show
significant
temperature and

Humidity
nearing
saturation.

NORSOK standard N-002

Edition 2, October 2010

humidity
dependence.

3. Atmospheric
pressure
3.1 Pressure

920 to 1080
hPa

0,1 hPa

0,1 hPa

Not specified

0,1 hPa

0,2 hPa

20 s

1 min

0,3 hPa

3.2 Tendency
0,2 hPa

4. Clouds
4.1 Cloud amount
0/8 to 8/8

4.2 Height of cloud

base

5. Wind
5.1 Speed
5.2 Direction
5.3 Gusts
6. Visibility
6.1 MOR

NORSOK standard

1/8

1/8

n/a

2/8

0 m to 30 km

10 m

10 m for 100 m
10 % for >100 m

0 to 60 m/s

0,5 m/s

0,5 m/s for 5 m/s

10 % for >5 m/s

Distance
constant
2 to 5 m

2 and/or
10 min

0,5 m/s for 5 m/s

10 % for > 5 m/s

0 to 360

1s

2 and/or
10 min

0 to 75 m/s

0,1 m/s

10 %

3s

0,5 m/s for 5 m/s

10 % for > 5 m/s

< 50 m to 70
km

10 m

50 m for 500 m
10 % for >500 m
1500 m
20 % > 1500 m

1 and 10
min

The larger of
20 m or 20 %

10 m
repeatability

n/a

< 30 s

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Range to sea level.

Accuracy seriously
affected by dynamic
pressure due to wind
and temperature
coefficient of
transducer.
Difference between
instantaneous values.

Period (30 s)
clustering
algorithms may be
used to estimate low
cloud amount
automatically.
Accuracy difficult to
determine since no
definition exists for
instrumentally
measured cloud base
height.
Average over 2 and
/or 10 minutes. Nonlinear devices. Care
needed in design of
averaging process.
Highest 3 s average
should be recorded.
Achievable
instrumental
accuracy may depend
on the cause of
obscuration. Quantity
to be averaged:
extinction coefficient

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Edition 2, October 2010

(see WMO-No. 8, Part

III, Chapter 3, section
3.6). Preference for
averaging logarithmic
values.

6.2 RVR

7. Waves
7.1 Time series of
sea surface
elevation

10 m to 1500
m

10 m

10 m for 400 m
25 m for >400 m
to 800 m
10 % for > 800 m

< 30 s

1 and 10
min

The larger of
20 m or 20 %

0,5 s

n/a

0,2 m for 5 m
4% for >5 m

20 min
(typical)

-15 to +20 m

0,1 m

7.2.1 Significant
wave height (H1/3)

0 to 20 m

0,1 m

0,5 m for 5 m
10% for >5 m

0,5 s

7.2.2 Average zero

crossing period (TZ)

3 to 30 s

1s

0,5 s

0,5 s

20 min
(typical)

7.2.3 Maximum
Wave height (Hmax)

0 to 35 m

0,5 s

20 min
(typical)

In accordance with
WMO-No.49,
Volume II,
Attachment A (2004
ed.) and ICAO Doc
9328-AN/908
(Second ed., 2000)
Length of time series
17 min (typical).
Sampling frequency
2 Hz.

7.2 Variables from

time series (zero
crossing analysis)

7.3 Wave spectrum

Minimum
17 min

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Depends on
averaging time
and sea
regularity as
well as intrinsic
instrument
accuracy

Depends on
averaging
time and sea
regularity
as well as
intrinsic
instrument
accuracy.

Observed value at
location of sensor.
New value every 30
min (typical).

Instruments may
include wave buoys,
altimeter, microwave
doppler radar, high
frequency radar,
navigation radar etc.
(1 Hz sampling
frequency is
sufficient).

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Edition 2, October 2010

7.3.1
1-D spectral
density

Frequency

0,1 m Hz

0,035 to 0,3
Hz

Direction

Shall be
sufficient to
achieve 7.4
requirements
.

< 0,01 Hz
1

0,1 m2Hzrad-1

7.3.2
2-D spectral
density

Frequency

-1

0,035 to 0,3
Hz
0 to 360

Shall be
sufficient to
achieve 7.4
requirements.

< 0,01 Hz
2-D spectrum may be
based on
parameterized
directional distribution
and reported as
direction and spread
parameters.

10 (see
remark)

7.4 Variables from

wave spectrum

7.4.1 Significant
wave height (Hmo)
7.4.2 Average
period (Tm02)
7.4.3 Peak period
(Tp)
7.4.4 Mean
direction
7.4.5 Direction

NORSOK standard

Depends on
averaging
time and sea
regularity as
well as
intrinsic
instrument
accuracy.
0 to 20 m

0,1 m

0,5 s

20 min

0,5 m for 5 m
10% for > 5 m

3 to 30 s

0,1 s

0,5 s

20 min

0,5 s

3 to 30 s

0,1 s

0,5 s

20 min

0 to 360

10

0,5 s

20 min

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0,5 s

Period of peak of
frequency spectrum.

20

May be spectrally
averaged or based on

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spread
8 Ocean currents
8.1 Current speed

Edition 2, October 2010

0 to 360

10

1 cm s-1

1 to 10 cm s

0 to 360

1 cm

1 cm

0 to 250 cm s

-1

-1

1s

5 to 20
min

1s

5 to 20
min
10 min

2 to 10 cm s

-1

8.2 Current direction

9 Water level

10 Temperature
profile

-2 to +25 C

0,1 K

0,01 K

0,5 s

1s

5
5 cm

0,05 K

11 Salinity profile
0 to 40 PSU
12 Oxygen

0 to 15 ml/l

angular harmonics.
Achievable accuracy
affected by type of
measurement; direct
or acoustic doppler
profilers

0,1

0,01 PSU

0,5 s

1s

0,05 PSU

0,1 ml/l

5 %

0,5 s

1s

5 %

Achievable accuracy
according to
commonly used CTD
sensors.
As per temperature
profile unit: PSU
according to PSS 78.

NOTES
1. Column 1 gives the basic variable.
2. Column 2 gives the common range for most variables; limits depend on local climatological conditions.
3. Column 3 give the most stringent resolution as determined in WMO-No. 8.
4. In column 4:
I: Instantaneous. In order to exclude the natural small-scale variability and the noise, an average value over a period of 1 min is considered as a minimum and most suitable;
averages over periods of up to 10 min are acceptable.
A: Averaging. Average values over a fixed time period, as specified by the coding requirements.
T: Totals. Totals over a fixed time period (s), as specified by coding requirements.
5. PSU: parts per thousand or grams of salt per kilogram of solution.

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Draft Edition 2, June 2009

Annex B
(informative)
Potential application for metocean information

Check-list (in alphabetical order):

Application
Bridge and flotel disengagement
Crane operations
Installation

Diving operations
Evacuation

Maintenance

Marine operations
Production shut-down
Remotely operated vehicle operations
SAR/MOB
Tanker loading
Verification studies

NORSOK standard

Comments
Wind and waves (or heave on a ship) do have an impact
on safety margins for crane operations.
Wind and wave data are usually needed for setting deck
and modules, and currents can be important for running
risers and stabbing tension leg platform tendons.
May depend on a number of metocean parameters.
Meteorological and oceanographic data is vital for
decisions regarding time of evacuation and selection of
evacuation means.
Maintenance operations, especially outdoor work above
open sea, are often subject to restrictions on weather and
sea state.
Various marine operations need reliable metocean
information
May depend on a number of metocean parameters, mainly
waves and wind
May depend on a number of metocean parameters, mainly
waves and ocean currents
Accurate metocean information may be crucial to effective
and safe SAR and MOB operations.
Tanker loading operations are sensitive to sea state and
wind conditions, in particular during docking operations.
A number of long term metocean parameters may be
required for verification of offshore structures. Verification
studies may depend on special metocean parameters or
installation of standard instruments in special locations.

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