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NOAA, Producers Collaborate for Arctic Study
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and three global energy producers are collaborating on ocean, coastal and climate science for the Arctic.
Royal Dutch Shell plc unit Shell Exploration and Production, as well as ConocoPhillips and Statoil USA E&P Inc., signed an agreement with NOAA last Tuesday that calls for sharing several scientific data sets for this mostly frontier region.
“Despite the wealth of scientific research conducted on the Arctic environment to date, much remains unknown, and no single government agency or entity has the resources or capacity to meet the task alone,” said NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco, who is under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere.
“This innovative partnership will significantly expand NOAA’s access to important data, enhance our understanding of the region and improve the United States’ ability to manage critical environmental issues efficiently and effectively as climate change continues to impact the Arctic.”
The framework of the agreement is expected to to enhance NOAA’s ability to monitor climate change and provide useful products and services that inform responsible energy exploration activities in the region.
Integrating these types of data also may provide more national capacity to manage and respond to environmental disasters, such as hazardous spills, in an area where limited personnel and facilities exist, NOAA said. NOAA plans to make most of the data available to the public.
Types of data the companies have agreed to share with the government address issues including meteorology, coastal and ocean currents, circulation and waves, sea ice studies, biological science, and hydrographic services and mapping.
“We will hold our industry partners to our high standards and make sure that as we learn more, we also prepare for and minimize the risks involved in Arctic oil and gas development,” said Lubchenco.
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