  A general circulation model of intermediate complexity with an idealized
earthlike aquaplanet setup is used to study the impact of changes in the
oceanic heat transport on the global atmospheric circulation. Focus is put on
the Lorenz energy cycle and the atmospheric mean meridional circulation. The
latter is analysed by means of the Kuo-Eliassen equation.
  The atmospheric heat transport compensates the imposed oceanic heat transport
changes to a large extent in conjunction with significant modification of the
general circulation. Up to a maximum about 3PW, an increase of the oceanic heat
transport leads to an increase of the global mean near surface temperature and
a decrease of its equator-to-pole gradient. For larger transports, the gradient
is reduced further but the global mean remains approximately constant. This is
linked to a cooling and a reversal of the temperature gradient in the tropics.
  A larger oceanic heat transport leads to a reduction of all reservoirs and
conversions of the Lorenz energy cycle but of different relative magnitude for
the individual components. The available potential energy of the zonal mean
flow and its conversion to eddy available potential energy are affected most.
  Both Hadley and Ferrel cell show a decline for increasing oceanic heat
transport with the Hadley cell being more sensitive. Both cells exhibit a
poleward shift of their maxima, and the Hadley cell broadens for larger oceanic
transports. The partitioning by means of the Kuo-Eliassen equation reveals that
zonal mean diabatic heating and friction are the most important sources for
changes of the Hadley cell while the behaviour of the Ferrell cell is mostly
controlled by friction.
