How Can GIS be used in the Oil and Weather Industries?
August 21, 2007 2:44 pmFiled in GIS
I am sure you have heard or read about Hurricane Dean hitting the Yucatan Peninsula and then heading for Mexico. As a Florida native, this time of year is especially concerning for me with the possibility of hurricanes like Dean heading our way. Another interesting thing that happens during this time of year is the volatility in the markets, especially when a storm gets close.
How are the two related? Some of you might know that the Gulf of Mexico has many oil drilling platforms. Hurricane Katrina caused millions in damage and caused gas prices to peak to over $3.00 a gallon two summers ago. To put it into perspective, I found a really cool blog, The Oil Drum, that has posted some Google Earth images that have mash-ups (see previous post about mash-ups) of the weather.
Scroll to the second picture, and you can really get a sense of why the market is so volatile when a storm comes through the Gulf.
Images like the one on The Oil Drum are perfect examples of how GIS benefits everyone. As the saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” I think the map showing all the oil platforms along the Gulf coast speaks for itself.
GIS is also being used in the recovery effort for victims of Hurricane Dean. An organization called Map Action has already sent people to Jamaica. The organization has created maps of affected parishes and potential flood areas. In the days to come, they will have more maps.
Feel free to leave your comments on the storm or other sites showing GIS data.
