Forecasters predicted an active hurricane season this year, so those involved in containing
and cleaning up the massive Gulf oil spill are keeping a close eye on tropical depressions
and potential storms that may threaten the recovery effort.
The path, point of landfall, trajectory, and unique characteristics of each storm,
such as the longshore currents it may produce, will determine its impact on oil spill
contamination and cleanup throughout the Gulf Coast.
University of Houston researchers also are keeping close tabs on the 2010 hurricane
season and are available to discuss the possible effects it could have on the oil
spill cleanup, including the ongoing work to drill relief wells to stop the oil leak.
As you consider stories for your coverage of Hurricane Alex and those that follow,
be prepared with these UH resources. If you are unable to reach a professor, contact
Laura Tolley at 713-743-0778 or Lisa Merkl at 713-743-8192.
POTENTIAL EFFECTS STORM COULD HAVE ON DRILLING RELIEF WELLS
Donald Van Nieuwenhuise, with his experience as a production geologist and ongoing
research on the impact hurricanes have on the Texas coast, understands the lengthy
process of drilling relief wells and what effect a Gulf storm could have on that process
as well as the overall recovery effort. Van Nieuwenhuise, Ph.D., is Director of the
Professional Geoscience Programs in UH’s department of geosciences, as well as Director
of the Applied Sequence and Biostratigraphy Program. Van Niewenhuise can also address
how a storm's path and trajectory may impact the spread of oil on Gulf Coast states.
His previous experience includes 18 years with AMOCO in stratigraphic research, stratigraphic
applications and management. His assignments included fields and prospects within
the United States and in more than 40 other countries. Prior to joining the AMOCO
Research Center in Tulsa, he was a geologist for MOBIL in New Orleans, where he successfully
drilled more than 15 exploration, production and blow-out kill wells. Reach him at
713-743-3423 or donvann@uh.edu.
Click for full interview and text of Q&A with Dr. Van Nieuwenhuise
HOW TO MITIGATE THE DAMAGE AND PLAN FOR RECOVERY
Cumaraswamy Vipulanandan, professor of civil and environmental engineering and director
of the Texas Hurricane Center for Innovative Technology, deals with how to mitigate
damages to structures and pipelines onshore and offshore, and how to protect coastal
areas during extreme weather conditions. A multi-infrastructural model for coordinating
the efforts of various entities for rapid recovery after a hurricane or a major disaster
is being developed. Vipulanandan has been working with his engineering students to
develop revolutionary, alternative technology to combat the effects of hurricanes
and is hoping to make these ideas a reality for protecting the Texas coastline. He
says the new wave of technology being developed at the center is effective and is
modeled after technology that is already used in Japan very effectively, as well as
other countries in Europe. On August 6, the center will be hosting a conference addressing
hurricanes, major disasters and rapid recovery in Texas and the Gulf Coast. The event
is open to the public, with a focus on the latest plans and procedures to prepare
for hurricanes. Reach him at 713-743-4278 or cvipulanandan@uh.edu.
Click to watch news clip: UH Texas Hurricane Center for Innovative Technology
About the University of Houston
The University of Houston is a comprehensive national research institution serving the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. UH serves 37,000 students in the nation's fourth-largest city, located in the most ethnically and culturally diverse region in the country.
For more information about UH visit the university's Newsroom at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom