Application of AIS data in service vessel activity description in the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

Offshore exploration and production in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) is supported by a large number of service vessels characterized by complex logistical patterns, a large number of shorebases and demand points across an expansive geographic area, and dynamic time-varying activities. No quantitative data is available on the spatial and temporal distributions of service vessel activity in the GOM, and therefore environmental impacts from offshore leasing plans cannot be distinguished. It is this ‘information gap’ in support of Environmental Impact Statements that is the motivation for this analysis. Automatic Identification System data is used in a proof-of-concept to evaluate offshore service vessel activity in the GOM during June 2009. Vessel events are identified and aggregated by port, area block, vessel type and event class. In total, 46 276 arrivals and departures between onshore and offshore locations in the GOM were recorded. Vessel movements between ports were the most active and a large portion of these events are attributed to towing vessels and tug boats. Offshore support vessels and crewboats recorded the most vessel events in offshore areas. A summary of the empirical results are presented along with the key aspects of data processing, evaluation challenges and limitations of analysis.