Arctic Offshore Technology Assessment of Exploration and Production Options for Cold Regions of the U.S. Continental Shelf

摘要

A study was completed in early 2008 (IMVPA, 2008) for the US Minerals Management Service (MMS) with the objective to deliver an assessment of oil and gas technology that may be applied to cold regions of the United States Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). An overview of this study and its results are presented in this paper.This study assessed the current state of offshore technology in arctic and sub-arctic regions. The results of this assessment were used to provide insight and guidance into existing/future exploration and development technologies that might be applied on the US OCS, in particular those areas in the Beaufort, Chukchi and Bering Seas.The work covers exploration structures, bottom-founded and fixed production concepts, floating production concepts, terminals, pipelines and subsea facilities, and also touches on other technologies that might be relevant to Alaskan OCS exploration and development. Advances in harsh environment offshore exploration and production technology have made it economically and technically feasible for some projects to proceed in ice-covered waters, and additional projects may be possible in future.This study drew on a review of current state-of-practice and state-of-the-art used in, or proposed for, arctic and sub-arctic offshore development areas. Assessments of exploration and production options were primarily based on technical feasibility. As appropriate, other aspects were also considered including constructability, capital costs, environmental considerations, operations, maintenance and repair, abandonment and decommissioning.