SCOPE OF WORK

CURRENT, WIND & WAVES HISTORICAL STUDIES

SAT-OCEAN S.A.S. Contact@sat-ocean.com

53 bd de la Reine www.sat-ocean.com
78000 Versailles - FRANCE
Tel. + 33 1 77 71 90 80
Fax. +33 1 39 53 98 06
1 Executive summary

SAT-OCEAN, using its experience in satellite data analysis and numerical modeling, provides historical
statistical analysis (hindcast) of ocean currents (surface and sub-surface direction and magnitude),
wind and waves.

SAT-OCEAN products include both 3D currents, winds and waves information, based on the last 2 to
10 years. It enables operators and contractors to gain an understanding of the Metocean conditions,
especially regarding 3D currents, at the areas of interest for their operations.

Typical applications of such studies include operation planning, riser design analysis, field
development studies, downtime analysis etc…

2 SAT-OCEAN service

2.1 Ocean current hindcasting

SAT-OCEAN ocean current modeling is based on HYCOM (Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model - Bleck,
2001). HYCOM is a generalized hybrid vertical coordinate model widely recognized as a powerful and
efficient tool for ocean modeling. To this state of the art model, SAT-OCEAN brings a significant
methodology innovation in using it in an inverse way: the “data” drives the model and we fit the
dynamics onto it to yield 3D absolute ocean currents.

From our merged sensor data sets, we produce sea surface temperature cloud-free fields with a very
high spatial and temporal resolution and a 0.2oC rms error compared to simultaneous on site
measurements, worldwide. From there, we have developed a method - based on regression
coefficient calculation derived from simultaneous altimetric fields and historical temperature /
salinity (T/S) profiles - that yields 3D temperature and salinity, daily: the obtained 3D T/S is called
SAT-OCEAN dynamic climatology and represents as closely as possible the 3D state of the ocean over
a given region, every day of concern for our model runs.

The 3D T/S data is then strongly being assimilated in our HYCOM/SAT-OCEAN model, strongly in the
sense that we give very little freedom to our model, and are very close to performing an inversion of
our forcing data, for the ocean circulation (except in the mix layer which is highly driven by the
forcing wind stress). Another way to present this is to say that we fit ocean currents to high quality
3D satellite data, rather than obtaining current "data" from a model.

A baseline (1/8o) global model is being run and covers the entire ocean domain. Then, a fine
resolution (1/64°equivalent to 1.7 km) configuration of the model is run to cover target areas. The
runs encompass 34 layers, with an about 10-layer sampling of the thermocline with a 1-hour output
time step. The values obtained represent the currents down to the smallest time scales encompassed
in the forcing and assimilated data, from 1 to 6 hours.

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 2.2 Accuracy of current methodology

Figure 1 : SAT-OCEAN data vs measured data from NOAA/NDBC buoys (GoM)

2.3 Ocean waves hindcasting

SAT-OCEAN's wave hindcasting system is based on the combination of altimetry satellite data and
the Wavewatch III numerical model. The altimetry satellite data is assimilated into the numerical
model to improve the results.

A baseline (1o) global model is being run to cover the entire ocean domain, and a first nesting
procedure is applied to a higher-resolution area (1/4o). Then a second nesting is applied down to
1/16th of a degree spanning the target area embedded in the 1/4 ° run.

The governing equations of the Wavewatch III wave model include refraction and straining of the
wave field due to temporal and spatial variations of the mean water depth and of the mean current
(tides, surges etc.), when applicable.

Parameterizations of physical processes (source terms) include wave growth and decay due to the
actions of wind, nonlinear resonant interactions, dissipation (whitecapping) and bottom friction.

Wave propagation is considered to be linear. Relevant nonlinear effects such as resonant interactions
are, therefore, included in the source terms (physics).

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 2.4 Accuracy of Waves methodology

Figure 2 : SAT-OCEAN data vs measured data offshore Australia

2.5 Wind hindcasting

SAT-OCEAN provides high quality analyzed satellite wind data for up to 20 years long. We can provide
longer time series by combining these data with lower resolution dataset based on all the historical
data available worldwide and meteorological numerical models.

Our winds are based on NCEP 1/2° global winds and Wave Watch 3 improved winds. We then
calibrate the global winds with satellites scatterometers to improve the accuracy. Our winds are
accurate to within 90-95% depending on the region and period of time.

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2.6 Accuracy of wind methodology

Figure 3 : SAT-OCEAN data vs measured data in the Gulf of Mexico

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3 Product deliverables

3.1 Reports

Full reports are provided for 3D current, wind and waves. The latter include all statistics mentioned in
the list below and are provided in PDF electronic format.

Statistical data are also provided in Excel format.

3.2 Ocean current deliverables

SAT-OCEAN deliver the following absolute 2D or 3D ocean current statistics:

• Current compass plots

• Multidirectional extreme current derivation at 1, 10 and 100 year-return (others on request)
• Joint distributions of the current magnitude vs direction
• Statistics table for current
• Maps presenting the 2-dimensional average and standard deviation of surface current

3.3 Examples of current deliverables

Figure 4 : Example of current magnitude/direction distribution at 1000m depth

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Figure 5 : Example of monthly average current magnitude at 1000m

Figure 6 : current average speed surface map

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Figure 7 : Current compass diagram indicating direction occurrence and directional speed occurrence

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Figure 8: Time/Depth plot of ocean current magnitude and direction

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 Figure 9 : Current return period derivation plot

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Figure 10 : Directional extreme value diagram of the current speed indicating

speed maximum, 1-year, 10-year and 100-year return values

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 Figure 11 : Monthly current statistics

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 Figure 12 : Joint distribution table of current speed and direction

Figure 13 : Current speed persistence table with double "Less/More" entries

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 3.4 Ocean waves deliverables

SAT-OCEAN will deliver the following wave statistics :

• Wave Hs-Dp compass plot

• Wave Tp-Dp compass plot
• Wave Hs-Dp joint distribution
• Wave Hs-Tp joint distribution
• Wave Tp-Dp joint distribution
• Wave Hs occurrence
• Wave Tp occurrence
• Wave Dp occurrence
• Extreme 1, 10 and 100 year wave Hs return periods (others on request)

• Statistics table for Hs, Tp, and Dp :

 Mean, max, standard dev.

 Occurrence
 Persistence
 Exceedance
 Return periods

3.5 Examples of waves deliverables

Figure 14 : Frequency – direction spectrum at drilling location

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 Figure 15 : Waves HS period monthly extremes table

Figure 16 : Waves joint distribution period direction table

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 Figure 17 : Waves HS directions statistics table

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 Figure 18 : Waves joint distribution

3.6 Wind deliverables

SAT-OCEAN will deliver the following wind data statistics:

• 10-meter wind compass plots

• Extreme wind derivation at 1, 10 and 100 year return periods (others on request)
• Joint distributions of wind magnitude vs direction
• Statistics table for wind

• Statistics table for wind magnitude and direction :

 Mean, max, standard dev.

 Occurrence
 Persistence
 Exceedance
 Return periods

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3.7 Examples of wind deliverables

Figure 19 : Wind occurrence speed table

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 Figure 20 : Wind speed compass plot

Figure 21 : Wind persistence speed table

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 Figure 22 : Wind return period derivation plot

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Figure 23 : Examples of Frequency of wind magnitude and direction
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APPENDIX: PERENCO CASE STUDY
Perenco presence in Congo

Perenco operates the offshore fields of Yombo and Emeraude in the Republic of Congo. The
Emeraude field is a major accumulation lying offshore Pointe Noire at 60m water-depth.

After several years of pre project and reservoir simulations, Perenco / CONGOREP initiated in 2006
an important project to confirm the economic viability of an extensive development at the Emeraude
field. The project consists in the deployment of an offshore steam injection plant on a new built
drilling, process and production platform.

New platform installation challenges

The construction, transportation and installation are part of the new program. The platform has a 40
x 30m deck and weights 4.000T. After a one-month transit from Morocco, it is to be anchored on the
55m deep seabed.

Changing environmental conditions presented a significant risk for installation operations. The region
offshore Pointe Noire is indeed under the influence of the Congo River plume which regularly diverts
northwards and disturbs greatly the coastal ocean circulation.

As a result, high magnitude surface currents occur in association with a very strong variability over
time. The signal is confined in the very upper layer, which depth varies typically between 3 to 8
meters, and a strong vertical stratification tends to occur. These sudden changes in surface & near-
surface currents direction were a major issue for the barge float off planned by Perenco.

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Planning phase

Perenco completed a careful design of the

operations through a thorough wind, waves and
current persistence analysis. SAT-OCEAN was
involved at that early stage and delivered a
study of local conditions.

This data set was used in the initial planning of

the float off to ensure that the structural
integrity of both vessel and platform would not
be put at risk. It also enabled to define the most
appropriate installation window and select
between 2 and 4 point anchoring for the project.

Real-time assistance to float off operations

For the 15-day duration of the platform installation, Perenco also received real-time forecasts from
SAT-OCEAN. One of the phenomena Perenco wanted to monitor was abrupt shifts in current
direction, which had already been witnessed in several occasions. To that end, SAT-OCEAN provided
daily Metocean reports with 48-hour current forecast.

“SAT-OCEAN has been of great help for the Emeraude Flank project” says Louis Hannecart, Perenco
Project Manager. “Their currents forecasts matched well with our observations and contributed
significantly to the safety & good planning of the barge float off”.
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