GCOOS and the oil and gas industry an opportunity for an IOOS-industry partnership

At the IOOS Industry Day, in March 2005, at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Admiral James Watkins made the following statement: "The role of industry in the building, operation and maintenance of the IOOS should be clearly defined. Industry should not be viewed solely as a provider of technology or a user of the system, but as a full partner in the planning, implementation and operation of the system. This will require developing joint strategies with industry, for things as diverse as long-term sensor and platform technology, protection of intellectual property rights, and identification of possible ventures to create value-added products." In the Gulf of Mexico, an excellent opportunity for such a partnership to develop exists between the oil and gas industry and the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Observing System (GCOOS) Regional Association. This paper discusses the needs of the oil and gas industry for observing systems, the opportunities for technological collaboration and for development of value-added products. Examples of the oil and gas industry and GCOOS working as a partnership are presented, and future strategies that will be pursued are discussed.