Strategic Carbon Founder Leads New Zealand Climate Change Expedition

PORTSMOUTH, N.H., Feb. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Strategic Carbon LLC (www.strategic-carbon.com), a global science-based energy and environmental consulting and development enterprise partially owned by Calypso Communications, has announced that Strategic Carbon Founder Dr. Richard Coffin is leading an expedition to explore methane contributions to climate change. The month-long expedition on the German-flagged RV Sonne embarks this week from Christchurch, New Zealand. The research trip follows up on a geophysical survey of "pockmarks" on the Chatham Rise off eastern New Zealand with a paleo-geochemical assessment of when they were formed. Scientists believe these seafloor depressions were created as a result of methane release from hydrates during glacial-interglacial cycles up to 20,000 years ago.

Co-founded in late 2011 by Dr. Coffin and Calypso Communications Owner Kevin Stickney, Strategic Carbon will provide advanced analysis, technology, and services for methane hydrate energy exploration and carbon sequestration in deep ocean sediment, as well as both short- and long-term analyses of ecosystem health related to ocean-based energy mining and other commercial activities. Scheduled to be fully operational in late summer 2013, Strategic Carbon also offers expertise for analytical services, crisis planning, commercial intervention, and political and regulatory testimony for energy industry accidents and natural crises.

The expedition marks a unique collaboration between scientists from New Zealand, the U.S., and Europe. Joining Dr. Coffin in leading the science expedition are representatives from his current research team at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Germany's Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel IFM-Geomar, and New Zealand's University of Auckland and University of Dunedin. The University of Auckland is a formal member of Strategic Carbon's global academic alliance, providing world-class research, laboratory, and commercial expertise and support.

The research trip takes advantage of a unique ocean laboratory and allows scientists to study the response of oceanic gas hydrates to climate fluctuations by investigating the formation mechanisms of these seafloor depressions, their links to destabilizing gas hydrates, and the implications for methane release into the ocean and, perhaps, atmosphere. Findings from this voyage are expected to better inform global researchers, industry, and science-based consultants, such as Strategic Carbon, in their efforts to evaluate future new energy sources and protect natural resources.

Strategic Carbon will serve a global marketplace that includes coastal nations and governments across the developed and developing world; publicly and privately held oil and gas majors, energy service companies, and joint ventures; petrochemical industry supply chain partners and providers; major oceanographic academic institutions and partners; and private research, defense, energy, and environmental organizations.

About Strategic Carbon
The primary focus of Strategic Carbon is the development of a commercial science-based consulting organization to provide advanced analysis, technology, and services for methane hydrate energy exploration and carbon sequestration in deep ocean sediment and both short- and long-term analyses of ecosystem health assessment related to ocean-based energy, as well as environmental investments, acquisitions, operations, critical failures, and commercial interests. For more information, visit http://www.strategic-carbon.com/. 

About Calypso Communications 
Based in Portsmouth, N.H., Calypso Communications is a premier, award-winning strategic marketing, corporate communications, and business development consultancy. Highly sought after for its seasoned insight and perspective, Calypso effectively engages stakeholders crucial to driving business and value for clients in the energy, environmental, healthcare, and technology industries. For more information, visit http://www.calypsocom.com.

SOURCE Calypso Communications