Basis of Design and Specifications for Shallow Water Arctic MODU for Year-round Operation, Development and Exploration

Abstract

In Arctic offshore areas where exploration and production of hydrocarbons may occur, a substantial portion lies in water depths less than 50 meters. Currently there are no MODU's which can drill all different well types, production and exploration, over a wide range of water depths from 10 m to 50 m, ice conditions, and facilitate alternative development plans, using wellhead platforms. ConocoPhillips Company, in cooperation with Keppel, Offshore and Marine and Technology Centre, have developed a basis of design and specifications for a Self elevating Arctic Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU) for use in these water depths capabilities to drill a wide range of wells. Economics require that a new build Arctic MODU be highly productive and operate nearly year-round. The Basis of Design and specifications result in a MODU that would have a wide range of application, be highly productive, and make alternative field development concepts viable. The focus of this paper is to detail major items that impact the size, weight, and configuration of an Arctic MODU. This will result in a conceptual unit design that will be used in determine ice loads, layout, and structural design of the Arctic MODU.

Overview of Measures Specifically Designed to Prevent Oil Pollution in the Arctic Marine Environment from Offshore Petroleum Activities

“…The studies, including structural analysis, ice management approaches and well control considerations are reviewed, in addition to the further potential of jack-ups in the Arctic (Wang et al, 2012). o Shafer et al (2013) describe the basis of design and specifications for a self-elevating Arctic MODU for use in water depths from 10 to 50 meters, capable of drilling a wide range of wells.  Challenges with bringing collision risk models used in the North Sea and Norwegian Sea to the Barents Sea: Hassel et al (2015) discuss the challenges with bringing the industry standard risk model for ship-installation impacts (COLLIDE) used in the North Sea and Norwegian Sea to the Barents Sea.…”

“…The intention is to achieve year-round operation, development and exploration. Shafer et al (2013) detail major items that impact the size, weight and configuration of an Arctic MODU. This will result in a conceptual unit design that will be used to determine ice loads, layout and structural design of the Arctic MODU.…”

“…The studies, including structural analysis, ice management approaches and well control considerations are reviewed, in addition to the further potential of jack-ups in the Arctic (Wang et al, 2012). Shafer et al (2013) describe the basis of design and specifications for a self-elevating Arctic MODU for use in water depths from 10 to 50 meters, capable of drilling a wide range of wells. The overall objective of the project is to establish criteria and solutions for safe and cost-effective application of materials for hydrocarbon exploration and production in Arctic regions.…”

“…ConocoPhillips and Keppel Offshore and Marine Technology Centre, have jointly developed a basis of design and specifications for a self-elevating Arctic mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) for use in water depths from 10 to 50 meters for drilling a wide range of wells (Shafer et al, 2013). The intention is to achieve year-round operation, development and exploration.…”