Planning for Construction Work in Cold Climate Regions

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ove T. Gudmestad ◽  
Daniel Karunakaran
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Barents Sea ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Cold Climate ◽  
Construction Work ◽  
Oil And Gas Exploration ◽  
Weather Forecasts ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Polar Low

With increased interests in oil and gas exploration in cold climate regions, it is not realistic that all construction activities can take place during the short summer and work will continue into the early fall and possibly later. The offshore contractors must, therefore, be ready to participate in construction work in these regions during an extended season, i.e. outside the summer season with milder weather conditions. It is also important that some key work-intensive activities (e.g. pipe laying) can start as early as possible in the season. This paper will discuss the challenges associated with construction work in cold climate regions with emphasis on the physical conditions, in particular with reference to Polar Low Pressures and the potential for icing, as well as the logistics of working long distances from established supply bases. Large uncertainties in weather forecasts call for proper management decisions accounting for the specifics of the area. Long periods of “waiting on weather” might result and management must have the patience to wait until safe operations can commence. Emphasis will be on the Barents Sea where recent hydrocarbon findings have proven very encouraging and where a huge area soon will be opened for exploration, following the agreement on the border between Norway and Russia, potentially calling for joint Norwegian–Russian construction projects (Bulakh et al., 2011).

An Expert-Based Model for Reliability Analysis of Arctic Oil and Gas Processing Facilities

2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Masoud Naseri ◽  
Javad Barabady
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Barents Sea ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Oil And Gas Exploration ◽  
Oil Processing ◽  
Life Data ◽  
Expert Opinions ◽  
Exploration And Production ◽  
Criticality Analysis

Oil and gas companies are expanding their operations in the remote Arctic offshore with harsh weather conditions such as the Barents Sea. One of the major challenges in reliability assessment of production plants operating in such areas is lack of life data accounting for the adverse effects of harsh operating conditions. The aim of this study is to develop an expert-based model to assess the reliability of oil and gas exploration and production plants operating in Arctic regions. Expert opinions are used to modify the life data available in normal-climate locations, which are considered as the base area, to account for the effects of operating conditions. The proposed model is illustrated by assessing the reliability of an oil processing train in the Western Barents Sea. Additionally, based on a criticality analysis, some design modifications are suggested to improve the reliability of the processing train.

Impacts of Cold Climate Environmental Conditions on a Riser System Design and Installation

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adekunle Peter Orimolade ◽  
Ove Tobias Gudmestad
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Barents Sea ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Cold Climate ◽  
Field Development ◽  
Climate Region ◽  
Probability Of Occurrence ◽  
The Barents Sea ◽  
Development Concept

Interests in exploration and production of oil and gas in cold climate areas has increased in recent times. This can be attributed to the continual depletion of reserves in mature fields, and recent discoveries of large quantities of oil and gas in the cold climate region, including the more recent discovery of the Alta Reservoir, in the Barents Sea. However, marine operations in this region are faced with challenges resulting from its arctic conditions. Knowledge of the physical environment is important in designing offshore structures, and in planning, and executing marine operations. Selection of a suitable field development concept may be influenced by the probability of occurrence of rare events, such as drifting icebergs. Furthermore, occurrence of mesoscale phenomenon such as polar low pressures may adversely affect planned marine operations. In addition, uncertainties in weather forecasting will reflect on the available weather window to perform installation and interventions works. This paper presents some of the challenges in designing and planning for marine operations in the cold climate region. A possible field development concept for the open water areas of the Norwegian sector of the Barents Sea is discussed. The current research work considers the need for further assessment of the probability of occurrence of drifting icebergs as of importance when selecting field development concept. The Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) is proposed, and this should be designed with an internal turret system that can be disconnected and reconnected. Some of the challenges associated with riser systems design when considering a turret system with the capability to disconnect and reconnect are discussed. This paper also propose the use of ensemble forecasts as an alternative to the use of alpha factors to estimate operational weather window when planning for marine operations in the Barents Sea. The unpredictability nature of the environmental conditions, especially in the early winter is considered a challenge to marine operations.

Three years (2017-19) of field observation of the marginal ice the Western Barents Sea

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nataliya Marchenko
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Barents Sea ◽  
Mechanical Tests ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Oil And Gas Exploration ◽  
Ice Floes ◽  
The University

<p>Knowledge of sea ice state (distribution, characteristics and movement) is interesting both from a practical point of view and for fundamental science. The western part of the Barents Sea is a region of increasing activity – oil and gas exploration may growth in addition to traditional fishing and transport. So theinformation is requested by industry and safety authorities.</p><p>Three last years (2017-19) the Arctic Technology Department of the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) performed expeditions on MS Polarsyssel in April in the sea ice-marginal zone of the Western Barents Sea, as a part of teaching and research program. In (Marchenko 2018), sea ice maps were compared with observed conditions. The distinguishing feature of ice in this region is the existence of relatively small ice floes (15-30 m wide) up to 5 m in thickness, containing consolidated ice ridges. In (Marchenko 2019) we described several such floes investigated by drilling, laser scanning and ice mechanical tests, on a testing station in the place with very shallow water (20 m) where ice concentrated. In this article, we summarise three years results with more attention for level ice floes and ice floe composition, continuing to feature ice condition in comparison with sea ice maps and satellite images.</p><p>These investigations provided a realistic characterization of sea ice in the region and are a valuable addition to the long-term studies of sea ice in the region performed by various institutions.</p>

Design Aspects of Breakwaters for Cold Climate Oil and Gas Terminals

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Jimenez Puente ◽  
Ove Tobias Gudmestad
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Barents Sea ◽  
Cold Climate ◽  
Wave Period ◽  
Wave Parameter ◽  
Special Importance ◽  
Mean Wave Period ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Selection For

This paper focuses on design aspects regarding breakwaters for cold climate terminals, in particular, the different types of berm breakwaters, their stability, armour mobility criteria and armour size. A methodology is analyzed in order to determine the mean weight of the heaviest armour class as a function of wave parameters such as the significant wave height and the mean wave period, both for non-reshaping and reshaping stable berm breakwaters. The influence of the wave period on the stone mass required will be of special importance in the discussion. This methodology will enable us to determine the required median armour weight for a specific wave parameter, being easily able to compare the feasibility of different concepts or availability of the required stone size at the location. As a case study, the breakwater selection for the Melkøya terminal in the Norwegian Barents Sea, is assessed through a comparison of the necessary armour unit masses for the different berm breakwaters. The armour mobility criteria currently established is reviewed and a recommendation for an updated criterion for the statically stable non-reshaped berm breakwater category is proposed.

On Maintainability of Winterised Plants Operating in Arctic Regions

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masoud Naseri
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Mathematical Framework ◽  
Arctic Regions ◽  
Polar Low ◽  
Maintainability Analysis ◽  
Operation Risk ◽  
The Impact

In Arctic regions, oil and gas (O&G) operations are adversely affected by harsh weather conditions and severe meteorological phenomena such as icing storms and, in certain regions, polar low pressures. Potential solutions, such as implementing winterisation concepts, are explored in the design and even operation phases in order to overcome such obstacles. Simply, the main aim of winterisation is to provide the crew and equipment units with a range of normal environmental and working conditions through, for instance, insulating equipment units, installing heat tracers, enclosing working areas, providing the crew with adequate clothing, etc. There are, however, some concerns about the efficiency of such winterisation measures and potential changes in operation risk level, of which the changes in plant downtime, production loss, and plant maintainability are the focus of present study. The issue of complex effects of winterisation measures on maintainability analysis of O&G plants operating in the Arctic offshore has gained little attention in the literature. In this study, different aspects of winterisation from the viewpoint of equipment maintainability are discussed. Further, a mathematical framework for maintainability analysis of equipment units subjected to winterisation measures is proposed. The impact of winterisation-related downtimes on plant downtime is analysed as well by employing a Monte Carlo system simulation technique. The application of the proposed framework is illustrated by a case study. The results are further compared with those for a non-winterised system designed for normal-climate regions.

Calculation of Time-to-Freeze for Liquids in Pipes

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bjarte O. Kvamme ◽  
Jino Peechanatt ◽  
Ove T. Gudmestad
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Temperature Drop ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Cold Climate ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Flow Assurance ◽  
Maritime Industry ◽  
Oil And Gas Exploration ◽  
Polar Code

In recent years, there has been unprecedented interest shown in the Arctic region by the industry, as it has become increasingly accessible for oil and gas exploration, shipping, and tourism. The decrease in ice extent in the Arctic has renewed the interest in the Northern Sea route, necessitating further research to evaluate the adequacy of the equipment and appliances used on vessels traversing in polar waters. In the oil and gas industry, exploration and production vessels and platforms are highly dependent on the piping facilities for rendering their intended function, and therefore, flow assurance is extremely crucial. If the winterization of pipes is not done properly, this could lead to massive cost overruns due to unplanned production shutdowns or even worse, accidents. A temperature drop between the different areas of the production facilities will change the thermodynamic properties of the fluids, and could cause the processing of the crude oil to become inefficient. The introduction of the Polar Code by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) attempts to mitigate some of the risks endangering the vessels in polar waters. The Polar Code is scheduled to take effect on 01.01.2017, and applies to all vessels traversing in polar waters. The Polar Code requires that all machinery installations and associated equipment required for the safe operation of ships shall be protected against the effect of freezing and increased viscosity of liquids, and that working liquids shall be maintained in a viscosity range that ensures the operation of the machinery. To account for this, the heat loss of pipes carrying liquid (water for fire extinguishing and hydraulic fluid amongst others) needs to be estimated and mitigating measures must be taken. In this study, methodology from the refrigeration industry is applied to calculate the estimated time to freeze for liquids in pipes. The methodology is adapted for use in the maritime industry, and results are presented in this study. The methodology used was found to be quite flexible, allowing for the calculation of complex scenarios and shapes, including the effect of varying degrees of insulation on pipes, and can easily be applied for approximating the best suitable method of insulating pipes to ensure flow assurance and maintain fluid properties at desired levels. Tables estimating the time-to-freeze for insulated pipes of different diameters and insulation thicknesses exposed to cross-winds of varying speeds are provided. The methodology is found to have great potential, and should be investigated further with experiments. The objective of the paper is thus to introduce the methodology for cold-climate engineering and use it for practical analysis of realistic estimates of insulated and non-insulated piping.

Secure Launch of Lifeboats in Cold Climate: Looking Into Requirements for Winterization

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steinar Torheim ◽  
Ove T. Gudmestad
Keyword(s):  
Barents Sea ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Cold Climate ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Maintenance Program ◽  
Life Saving ◽  
Polar Low ◽  
Critical Components ◽  
New Guidelines ◽  
Challenging Situation

In this paper we will look closer into the secure launching of lifeboats from the Diving Support Vessel (DSV) “Seven Havila” in cold climate. Further we will look into requirements for winterization of such equipment. An overview of the vessel, the davits and other launching equipment will be included and critical components in the system will be discussed, viewed in the light of secure launching and winterization. This paper will define some of the environmental challenges coming from meteorological conditions when operating in cold climate regions. In this respect, particular focus will be drawn to challenges related to Polar Low Pressures and icing. These are conditions relevant for the Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea where the vessel is likely to operate. The paper will then look into possible winterization measures that can have a positive effect when it comes to protecting the launching equipment against icing. The most challenging situation will be the spray ice coming from waves and wind and this will also have the highest focus. In addition to installed winterization measures, known ice removal measures/methods will be looked at. Finally a discussion will be presented based on the investigations and information produced. For the “Seven Havila” the most likely season for operation in arctic/cold climate areas will not be during wintertime. However, to be prepared for operations in cold climate, lifeboat launching equipment must be winterized for the physical environmental conditions it is exposed to. Evacuation equipment must at all times be functional and collecting data and performing thorough analysis of the operational conditions is essential to define the winterization requirements. The lifeboats and the launching equipment on the “Seven Havila” are already partly protected by their location in compartments. Additionally, the most effective way of preventing sea-spray and thereby also icing, will be by closing the compartments. Different kinds of removable covers may be considered. In the ship operation industry there is a need for amendments to the existing winterization guidelines and new “Guidelines for Ships Operating in Polar Waters” to define the requirements for such. For the life saving equipment in particular, the guidelines should include the temperature requirements for different operational seasons. It is, furthermore, important to have a close look at the training programme of personnel and the operational preparations and maintenance program for equipment to evaluate if improvements are required for operations in cold climate.

Material Challenges in Arctic Areas

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes Marie Horn ◽  
Per Egil Kvaale ◽  
Mons Hauge
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Material Selection ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Structural Steels ◽  
Cold Climate ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Pipeline System ◽  
Oil And Gas Exploration

There is a lack of rules and standards that provide guidelines for material selection and qualification of materials for offshore and onshore structures in arctic areas. Many current standards for low temperature applications such as cryogenic piping and process systems do not reflect the need for low-cost bulk materials for large volume applications such as pipelines and production facilities. The growing focus on oil and gas exploration in arctic areas has raised the need for new standards and industry practice that supports cost effective and safe installation and operation of production and transport facilities in the cold climate. There are materials today that are applicable for low temperature conditions. The grades are often highly alloyed (typically 3–9% Ni) with good toughness properties, but these alloys are expensive compared to conventional steel material grades. Such materials may not be applicable in pipelines, structures and process plants. This challenge can be met in two ways. First, structural steels that are capable of being welded and operated in the cold climate should be developed and qualified. Second, materials for forged and casted components that can be welded to the structural steels should be developed and qualified to fit into the integrated structure or pipeline system. Some actions have been taken to develop new standards e.g. within ISO19906, and actions are being taken in Russia to harmonize their specifications with the international standards, but this is a comprehensive job and the work must be executed in parallel with the development of new steels and welding technology.

Dynamics of Ice Milling and Breaking During Arctic Ship Steering Operations

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erno Keskinen ◽  
Jori Montonen ◽  
Nikhil Sharma ◽  
Michel Cotsaftis
Keyword(s):  
Complex Analysis ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Barents Sea ◽  
Arctic Zone ◽  
Bending Vibrations ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Oil And Gas Exploration ◽  
Cantilever Structure ◽  
Ice Field ◽  
Propulsion Unit

Interest to sailing in arctic zone is increasing, as due to the climatic change, the seasons when northeast and northwest passages are open enough for see transportation, are getting every year longer and longer. Some other activities like oil and gas exploration and drilling at Barents Sea require also regular sea traffic connections to be opened. Sea operations at arctic zone are challenging, because thick ice generates a high magnitude dynamic load against the hull and the propulsion units. Turning and backward sailing in thick ice field are the most critical operations, in which the steerable propulsion units are in totally different service as in the regular open sea cruising. In such operations the ice field, when guided downwards along the slope of the hull, is broken to large plates, which then are fed against the propulsion unit. The steering propulsion unit itself is a vertically mounted inverse mast column, at the top of which the horizontally spinning propeller(s) can be vertically turned to follow the steering commands. Such cantilever structure is now under random collision process when the column is breaking the underwater ice plates to smaller blocks. For hydrodynamic reasons the column has a limited cross-sectional area as compared to the propeller area making it sensitive to bending vibrations. Another dynamic interaction with ice is coming from the periodical blade-ice contact when the ice blocks pushed down to the propulsion depth are completely milled by the units. These two parallel dynamic processes have been the reason for several serious damages and losses of propulsion units leading to expensive service operations by means of support vessels. The purpose of this study has been to model the underwater propulsion system with all essential structures, parts and interactions with the surrounding fluid field and floating ice blocks. This brings a complex analysis, in which random collisions and periodical machining forces are loading the elastic hull-mounted inverse mast column with high end mass. The response behavior led to predictions for the reasons of the observed damages especially in case of collapsed bolt connections in the units.

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