ANNEX B - Service Examples

This Annex shows a set of examples; text formed, tabular formed, map based, or time lapse based, as described in SECTION IV Products, formats and services. The selection of examples appear in the same order as in the subsection "Products and services", numbered A to M. A brief explanation text follows each example. The very first example shows the standard rig forecast format recommended by the "North Sea Panel" in the early 80's. Since then, a large variety of formats have been developed, and the present selection should be seen as a sub-selection.

Forecast type/category	Description	Example of target operation
A. Text based	Standard offshore forecast, Route forecast	Most types of operation, Rig tow forecast
B. Map based	Weather charts, Contoured fields of wind and wave height	Logistical planning
C. Graphical/tabular	Site specific offshore forecast service	Most types of operation
D. On-site Forecaster	On-site consultancy and data provision	Weather sensitive operations
E. Probability based	'Stacked' probability forecast, Plume Graphs	Logistical planning. Risk assessment
F. Wave spectra	Wave energy distribution, in frequency and direction	Vessel motion prediction
G. Subsurface	Vector maps	Drilling, pipeline installation
H. Ocean tows	Route conditions	Rig tows
I. Vessel routing	Optional tracks	Long distance transportation
J. Retrospective analysis	Time lapse measurements	All operations
K. Verification /QA reports	Time series,Performance Indicators	All threshold dependent operations
L. Tropical cyclone warnings	Text and maps	Operations in the tropics
M. Polar forecasts	Ice edge and type maps	Marginal ice zone operations
N. Helicopter forecasts	Area forecasts. TAF and METAR examples	Helicopter operations and logistic departments
O. Vessel Motion Prediction	Predictions of heave, roll and pitch	FPSO, semi-submersible operations