The Forces of Nature:
Wind, Wave and Current Hindcasting

In order to determine the forces on a structure, engineers needed some way to determine the highest extreme values of wind, wave, and current in the life of the structure. In 1954 Chevron installed 3 separate pilings (from platform deck to ocean bottom) with devices to measure wave forces, wave velocities and wave heights. Humble contributed by analyzing the gathered data from these test installations in the Gulf of Mexico (1955-1962) and derived environmental design criteria for the maximum design storm or hurricane data for coastal and offshore regions along the Texas-Louisiana and California coasts. This resulted in specifications for the important characteristics of the complex design waves including wave height, length, period, and harmonic composition.  A. H. Glenn used these formulae together with shore based wind measurements and ship observations to provide the industry with the 100-year expected storm data at worldwide locations. Shell Oil and others pioneered methods for measurement of hurricane conditions far offshore in Hurricane Camille (1969). These data enabled development and calibration of modern numerical hindcast models. R.G. Bea led much of Shell’s effort to develop criteria for wave conditions and forces in the Gulf of Mexico for use with the American Petroleum Institute's (API) Recommended Practices for design. V.J. Cardone, W.J. Pierson and E.G. Ward were behind the developments of later hindcast models.    

Recognizing the pioneering efforts of the following individuals and companies who contributed to the development of this technology: 

Robert G. Bea, C. Paul Besse, Sr., Charles L. Bretschneider, Vincent J. Cardone, John C. Freeman, Alfred H. "Al" Glenn, Willard J. Pierson, Emmett G. "Skip" Ward

Chevron, Humble Oil & Refining Co. (now ExxonMobil), Magnolia Petroleum (now ExxonMobil), Shell