Ice-related R&D requirements for Beaufort Sea production systems

• Main Author: Wright, B.
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: National Research Council of Canada 2005
• Subjects: Beaufort Sea; Sea ice; ice covered waters
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.4224/12328137; https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=6d707e66-0876-4481-ab81-2e84267a2d97; https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/object/?id=6d707e66-0876-4481-ab81-2e84267a2d97; https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/fra/voir/objet/?id=6d707e66-0876-4481-ab81-2e84267a2d97

This report presents the results of an assessment of ice-related R&D requirements for Beaufort Sea production systems. It has been prompted by a general renewal of interest in the opportunities that may become available for Beaufort oil and gas development projects in the future. As part of this work, key ice-related issues that arose during previous exploration activities in the Beaufort Sea are identified, along with the ice-related R&D needs developed in earlier studies. Discussions with representatives from industry, government and expertise groups have also been held as part of this work, to get their views on current ice-related uncertainties and challenges for potential Beaufort Sea developments. The key ice-related R&D needs that have been identified in this assessment fall into the following topic areas: • Design ice loads on fixed structures, including: - global loads from extreme multi-year ice feature interactions - grounded ice rubble formations & their effect on reducing design ice load levels • Vessel station-keeping in ice (e.g.: tanker loading) & related ice management aspects • Ice scour and its influence on the design of seafloor facilities • The engineering implications of climate change on Beaufort Sea ice conditions • Improved oil spill countermeasures and clean-up methods in ice • Improved EER methods for platforms operating in ice-covered waters Other important messages received as part of this R&D requirements assessment include: - a recognition that many of these ice issues are generic, and also of interest for offshore projects in other ice-covered regions of the world - a recognition that collaborative and cooperative R&D work makes good sense in some ice issue areas, and interest in possible JIP approaches from some companies - a recognition of the importance of resolving any outstanding technical issues in a timely manner, despite the view that environmental and socio-economic factors may be of more consequence for future Beaufort Sea projects - a ...