Characteristics and Resource Potentials of Nigerian Atlantic

Abstract

This paper presents an updated understanding of the Nigerian Atlantic waters in terms of the offshore characteristic and the potentials that these characteristics provide for the people of the nation and the continent at large. The wind, wave, swell and current data studied were provided by Shell Nigeria for some periods between1979 and 1983.General characteristic consideration of wind, wave, swell and current is made for the Nigerian Atlantic waters and in particular Bonny Offshore, Forcadoes Offshore, Asabo Offshore and Bonga Offshore. Inference from the results in terms of use of the Atlantic for renewable energy sources and marine food production based on a proposed offshore technology is described. It is noted that the Nigerian Atlantic is relatively mild and benign with low average velocity of 0.3 m/s running at about 3 meters above ocean bottom. This paper further discusses efforts made to reinvent the use of vertical axis turbine for use in such low underwater current velocities of 0.3 m/s which is perhaps the least flow velocity of ocean water in the world.