The Challenges of Deep-Water Arctic Development

摘要

The oil and gas industry has demonstrated the ability to drill and develop offshore oil and gas resources in first-year sub-Arctic ice and in shallow-water high-Arctic environments. However, development in deep water (water depths exceeding 100 m) remains a formidable challenge due to small, unpredictable open-water windows and large environmental loads from multi-year ice features. This paper provides an overview of recent projections of undiscovered Arctic hydrocarbon resource potential and the geographical distribution of the resource potential thought to lie in deep water. The unique environmental conditions are summarized along with their impact on the cost of supply outlook for Arctic resources relative to other hydrocarbon supplies. The key technical challenges facing deep-water high-Arctic development are reviewed along with the current industry efforts aimed at meeting the challenges.