ICE MODEL TESTING OF AN EXPLORATION PLATFORM FOR SHALLOW WATERS IN THE NORTH CASPIAN SEA

摘要

The drilling barge Sunkar, owned and operated by Parker Drilling under contract to the Offshore Kazakhstan International Operating Company (OKIOC), has been specially designed to withstand ice forces caused by moving sea ice sheets. Sea ice can occur in the North Caspian Sea between November and April. In order to estimate the magnitude of expected ice loads and to estimate the likelihood of ice pile-up on the barge, model tests were performed in the Large Ice Model Basin of HSVA. As a result of these model tests, the rig has been designed with ice deflectors around the barge to prevent over-riding by rubble ice and vertical piles in front of the barge to reduce the ice force. This paper provides an overview of the special environmental conditions of the North Caspian Sea, ice model tests, and subsequent data analysis.