Modelling and predicting the motion of ocean eddies from local current data

This paper considers the prediction of ocean eddy motion from a time series of current data taken at a single fixed location; a problem of relevance to the offshore oil industry. A simple eddy model forms the basis of an algorithm in which the characteristics of a distant eddy are deduced from a set of measured current velocities taken at a fixed location. The subsequent motion of the eddy is predicted which, in turn, enables eddy-induced currents to be forecast. Comparisons with both synthetically generated and actual current meter data from the Gulf of Mexico demonstrate the worth and accuracy of the model.