The dimensions and the periodicity of the grid are hard-coded. It is therefore compulsory to recompile for each new configuration. The information can be found in the par_ORCA*.h90 in the model sources you are using. ORCA1: jpi = 362 jpj = 292 jpiglo = 362 nperio = 6 ORCA025: jpi = 1442 jpj = 1021 jpiglo = 1442 nperio = 4