Supporting met-ice-ocean services

Offshore operations are being established in areas that are often deficient in accurate, detailed and frequent information on ice, ocean and weather conditions. In this case, we can provide support in terms of setting up a met-ice-ocean service. Polar Imaging has been involved in ice monitoring services that range from national ice services and major multi-year operations involving multiple personnel and data sources, to one-off expeditions. This has resulted in spin-off company GeoCento to support improved planning of satellite imagery.

Picture: offshore platform in sea ice, courtesy Gazprom.

Developing innovative space-based ice monitoring technologies

We have been involved in many space agency led technology development programmes that are aimed at improving observation of high latitude environmental conditions and this enables us to be technically up-to-date when working with clients and to maintain a long term view of developments in technologies. Examples of relevant programmes, some of which we are involved in, include the use of low frequency radar to penetrate through polar ice; high frequency radar for snow monitoring; the use of advanced altimetric techniques for improving information on sea-ice thickness and the use of “free” GPS signals in providing information about sea ice.

Picture: Artist’s impression of Envisat, courtesy European Space Agency.

Assessing met-ice-ocean conditions

Satellite imaging can be used to provide very detailed assessments of ice conditions, not only in terms of current conditions with daily near-real time monitoring, but also in terms of climate-related variability and statistical properties including extremes for particular areas. Archives of satellite imagery now extend back years to decades and can be used to support planning for offshore operations and structure installations. We have recently been working to establish how satellite imaging may be used to support the new industry probabilistic design standard for offshore structures in ice, defined in ISO 19906. We have also been involved in studies of climate-related ice variability leading to development of seasonal ice outlooks.

Ice advecting through the Bering Strait. MODIS image, courtesy NASA.

Training and workshops

Polar Imaging is able to offer training in the use of satellite imagery for ice monitoring, including a review of ice monitoring standards and procedures, comparative assessments of different data sources, and guides to satellite image interpretation. Kim Partington has also been involved in organising workshops that address innovative uses of satellite imagery.