NOAA and the Shell Oil Company have signed a co-operative agreement to place meteorological and oceanographic observation sensors on 7 Shell oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. Once installed the suite of observation equipment will become a vital component of the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), providing valuable data for use in hurricane research, forecasting and coastal resource management.

"IOOS is all about unlocking the secrets of our oceans and coastal waters. Thanks to Shell's commitment we'll be able to gather additional data that may help us understand how tropical cyclones develop in the Gulf region, learn about coastal flooding, harmful algal blooms and the processes behind dead zones, becoming better stewards of our valuable coastal resources," said retired Navy Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher Jr. Ph D., Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Admnistrator. More.