Given the importance of the environmental data to this billion dollar project, EGSI carried out an integrated programme of meteorological, bathymetric and topographic measurements.

The fieldwork programme focussed on the coupling between meteorological forces, hydrodynamic conditions, and changes to seabed stability.

The oceanographic measurements were centred on two multi-sensor bedframes which monitored the velocity structure throughout the water column, with a particular focus on the structure of the near-bed turbulence and the resulting seabed response under varying hydrodynamic conditions over 12 months.

Each bedframe was instrumented with a package of sensors comprising an acoustic doppler current meter, a 3D single point current meter, three optical backscatter units, and a downward looking altimeter.

EGSI's measurements enabled an insight into the coastal processes but also provided calibration input for HR Wallingford, who will undertake the modelling elements of this project. The output from the fieldwork and modelling studies will underpin the engineering design of the terminal.

MJ Information 17935