As more attention is paid to the exploration of oil and gas resources in the high north, the settlement of the disputed area between Norway and Russia, and the world's ever-rising demand for energy resources, more and more oil companies and suppliers are moving north. For most oil companies, rig and ship operators and logistics providers, the Arctic represents a new frontier, where existing operational systems and technologies are tested to their limits. This paper outlines key challenges facing the development of sustainable and safe maritime offshore operation in Arctic waters. The Arctic offers challenges related to harsh weather conditions, long distances from bases, limited or absent infrastructure, a sensitive ecosystem, ensuring safety at sea, potential oil spills and operations in ice-infested waters. Arctic operations are thus significantly different from operations in the North Sea. This state of affairs underlines the need for new or improved organisational and business models for integrated logistics operations, value chain management and technological solutions that will ensure sustainable and safe maritime operations. It also demands optimised design of ships and structures for operation in the Arctic environment as well as improved communication infrastructure based on satellite, terrestrial, ship-to-ship or ad-hoc systems, radar and optical satellites. Key features discussed will include ideas and concepts for area-specific vessel design and multipurpose vessels, with integrated support and logistics models and systems, base-to-base operation and tailored business models for robust Arctic field operation. The aim is to ensure a holistic and integrated transport and logistics infrastructure in sparsely populated areas with extreme weather conditions (polar lows, darkness, fog, ice and icing), including the interplay between vessel technology and the operational management.
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