The Arctic Ocean has the potential to produce oil and gas economically.  Although it is a challenging environment, fields could be developed to produce hydrocarbons economically.  Russia’s Sakhalin field is one of the most important field discoveries that can help in preparing the oil and gas industry for the challenges that may be faced in the Artic Ocean.  The Sakhalin field has flow rates that range from 150,000 to 400,000 bpd of oil.  The field lies in water ranging in depth from 50 to    300 m.  During winter, this field has moving ice flows that are 1.5 – 2.0 m thick on the water’s surface.  It is possible that single, multiyear ice ridges exist in between thick ice-sheets.  These ridges can be up to 25 m in height.  Large waves during summer cause the area to be free from ice but the combination of ocean currents and wind create a challenging environment offshore.  In the Sakhalin Island area, earthquakes are fairly common and are yet another challenge to producing hydrocarbons in the field.  Identifying potential floating and fixed concepts for drilling, production, and storage platforms in the Sakhalin Arctic area is extremely challenging and requires expert engineering for successful design.

This presentation addresses the technical challenges involved in using floating production facilities in ice-covered water.  The mechanism of ice-strength and ice-breaking technology utilizing floating vessels as well as the management of ice-ridges will be discussed. Specific application to the Sakhalin Island environment will be covered. The climatology and the ice loading design criteria will be shown. The feasibility and advantages of using floating vessels in ice-covered deepwater will also be addressed.