Using a sigma-coordinate numerical ocean model for simulating the circulation at Ormen Lange.

Inge K. Eliassen and Jarle Berntsen

Abstract

A three dimensional sigma-coordinate ocean model has been implemented for simulating the circulation at Ormen Lange. The model is used to study effects of variations in magnitude and direction of the background velocity field. The grid resolution is 400m horizontally, execpt in one study where 200m resolution is applied. The main conclusion is that there is a strong focusing of the flow along the shelf break, and that this effect is amplified when the inflowing current is directed more perpendicularly to the shelf break.