Program News

Ocean Drilling Program

It's spring, a time of change, transition, and renewal, all appropriate to describe what ODP is experiencing. It's also time for another issue of the OCE newsletter, and another opportunity to update you on happenings in the Drilling Program. First, the JOIDES Resolution is out of dry-dock, after undergoing major refit, all spiffed up and sparkling, sporting a fresh coat of blue paint on the hull and cranes, it looks very different. A number of refurbishments and enhancements were accomplished, designed to maintain and improve a safe working environment on the vessel, as well as upgrading drilling capabilities. Included among the enhancements is an Active Heave Compensation system installed to more efficiently de-couple the ship's heave from the drill string. This should result in enhanced core quality and longer bit life, as well as greater control when landing equipment on the bottom or in the hole. After some initial problems with damage to the servomotor that drives the system, and some adjustments to the software which operates the controller, things appear to be working as they are intended. The core handling and description area was renovated for greater efficiency of core flow and analysis. This will be given its first real test with the high core recovery anticipated on the present leg (Leg 189). Installation of a permanent microbiology laboratory was started and is still in the process of being completed. A new floor was added to the lab stack, which sports a new down-hole measurement laboratory, a new conference room for the scientific party, and a core-loading platform. The overall dry-dock activities have resulted in a much more capable JOIDES Resolution with extended water depth capabilities, improved operational efficiency, and the capability now to routinely conduct microbiology and gas hydrate research.

Another milestone was recently reached in the planning for the post 2003 Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP), intended to replace ODP. NSF took delivery of the Conceptual Design Report for the non-riser drilling vessel intended for the new program. This stems from the numerous planning documents, prepared by the scientific ocean drilling community, which have identified a wide range of important scientific objectives for a follow-on program post-2003 to the present Ocean Drilling Program. To meet all of these objectives the scientific community has consistently emphasized that both riser (well-control) and non-riser drilling capabilities will be required. Japan's Science and Technology Agency is building a large (ca. 210 m, 50,000 ton) riser/well-control vessel meant to address some of these requirements. The scientific drilling community has repeatedly argued that any future program would also require a non-riser vessel, similar to the present JOIDES Resolution, with enhanced capabilities. NSF has indicated that it would seek the necessary resources to bring such a vessel to a future program. This vessel would constitute a major capital asset of the future IODP. To accomplish this, the operational and scientific capabilities of this drilling vessel need to be carefully identified. As the first step to this process, NSF tasked the U.S. Science Advisory Committee (USSAC) for ocean drilling to assist with this process. In response to this request USSAC formed the Conceptual Design Committee (CDC) for the non-riser vessel, chaired by Dr. Peggy Delaney.

The charge to the CDC was as follows:

1. Formulate the conceptual design characteristics of a single, non-riser drilling vessel, optimally configured to address the widest possible range of non-riser scientific drilling objectives identified by various planning documents. This vessel should be capable of operating globally, to the extent possible in a maximum range of water depths (shallow to deep), and have endurance characteristics similar to the present JOIDES Resolution. The vessel's drilling limitations should be addressed and alternative drilling capabilities identified.

2. Identify the optimal configuration of on-board scientific measurement capabilities, i.e. geophysical, geotechnical, and scientific laboratory facilities required to achieve the scientific objectives of the program.

3. Provide a feasibility survey of existing and planned drilling vessels having the potential for conversion or modification to meet operational and scientific requirements.

4. Prepare a detailed report specifying the operational and scientific characteristics of this non-riser drilling vessel and the science objectives that it will be expected to address.

Funding permitting, it is NSF's intent to begin the selection process for the non-riser vessel and operator in January of 2002, and make an award for vessel acquisition/modification/conversion by October 2003. Conversion would occur in fiscal year 2004, and the vessel would, hopefully, be available to commence international drilling operations no later than early fiscal year 2005. The detailed report is available on the following web site: http://www.joi-odp.org/USSSP/cdc/cdcreportfinal.pdf . We would like to encourage anyone with comments to submit them to the IODP Planning Subcommittee which is compiling comments on the CDC report. Details for doing this can be found on the web site.

On another note, major changes are taking shape with respect to the management of ODP at Joint Oceanographic Institutions, (JOI) Inc., the prime contractor for management and operations of the program. On February 22, Dr. Kate Moran departed the position of Director of Ocean Drilling Programs at JOI. Although Kate's tenure as Director was brief she managed to develop a strong rapport with the ODP science community and a reputation for strong and energetic management. The ODP science community has expressed numerous concerns about the timing and process of Kate's departure to JOI's Board of Governors (BOG). The Board met in Washington on 9 March to consider these concerns, as well as other issues related to the management of ODP at JOI. The Board established a management oversight subcommittee to represent the BOG in assisting and advising the President and ODP Director at JOI on matters relating to the management of the ODP contract. Dr. Robert Detrick (former chair of JOIDES EXCOM) will chair this committee. One task of the committee is advising the President on recommendations for possible changes in JOI's management structure. We will report in future columns the recommendations of this committee as they affect management of the ODP.

Effective 1 March, Dr. John Farrell, Associate Director of Ocean Drilling Programs at JOI since 1997, was appointed Acting Director until a search can be completed for a permanent Director. John has extensive experience with the Program's management and operations and is respected in the ODP community for his commitment to the success of the Program. We are working closely with John to ensure effective short-term management of operations and planning. Advertisements for a permanent director have appeared in major international publications and we look forward to seeing a strong list of candidates to lead the management of the Program.

Staff changes: On a final note, we will be losing Jamie Allan as the visiting scientist by late this summer. Jamie has accepted the Department Chairmanship in geology at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. After 2 ½ years at NSF, we will miss his boundless enthusiasm and commitment to serving the community. We wish him all the best in his new position. A vacancy announcement for his position appears elsewhere in this newsletter. If you're interested in participating in the fun and excitement of developing new research and drilling programs, give us a call.

Bruce Malfait (bmalfait@nsf.gov)
Paul Dauphin (jdauphin@nsf.gov)
Jamie Allan (jallan@nsf.gov)