GOM FT 2016-11-14: Flight Path Data for Oil Slick Research

2016-2018 field research data collected as part of NOAA's Deepwater Horizon Lessons Learned Studies. The data were gathered to develop methods for estimating oil slick coverage and thickness using remote sensing platforms at the MC20 site, a location with a chronic oil discharge since 2004. This research was funded by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, and the Oil Spill Preparedness Division.

Use Cases

• Analyze flight path patterns for airborne imagery collection based on the description of synoptic data gathering.
• Correlate surface oil characterization with remote sensing data based on the study's stated objectives.
• Model chronic oil discharge patterns at the MC20 site based on the description of ongoing leakage since 2004.
• Validate methods for estimating oil slick thickness using the multi-platform approach described.

Strengths

• Data is part of a multi-year (2016-2018) field research program funded by U.S. federal agencies.
• Focuses on a specific, documented chronic oil discharge site (MC20) active since 2004.
• Integrates multiple data collection methods (satellite, airborne, surface, subsurface) as described.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Available file formats (PDF, HTML) suggest the data may be packaged in reports rather than raw, structured files.

Provenance

Source

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce.

Collection Method

Field research involving synoptic collection of satellite imagery, airborne imagery, surface oil characterization, oil and water chemistry, and subsurface oil slick data.

Time Range

2016-2018 (for the specific field research shown).

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 22:26:21.009557; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Mississippi Canyon lease block #20 (MC20), Gulf of Mexico; Louisiana, North America.