Iceberg Drift Simulations Using Inferred, Measured, and Ocean Model Currents

An iceberg drift model was developed for offshore oil and gas operations. Increasing forecasting accuracy is critical for making appropriate downtime decisions. Three sources of ocean current data were used to run test simulations of the model: estimates from observed iceberg drift and wind, measurements from a drifting buoy, and a three-dimensional (3D) ocean model. The average simulated iceberg position errors at 24 hours were 12% smaller for the estimated current drift simulations compared with the 3D modelled current simulations. The 17-hour iceberg position errors were 21% smaller for the buoy current drift simulation compared with the 3D modelled current simulation.