Offshore staff
MOSCOW --Rosneft and ExxonMobil have commissioned Vostochniy Offshore Structures Construction Yard (VOSTCO) to conduct a study for a drilling platform in the Kara Sea off northern Russia.
The concept will be evaluated for use in the shallow waters of East Prinovozemelsky license blocks 1, 2, and 3, which cover a total area of 126,000 sq km (48,600 sq mi) in waters depths ranging from 20-200 m (65-650 ft).
According to Rosneft, the platform would need to incorporate safety and environmental protection measures for operating in arctic conditions, including the ability to withstand extreme ice, wind, wave, and temperature conditions.
The study will evaluate the feasibility of using a gravity base structure that could extend the drilling season by several months. This would be designed to operate in up to 60 m (200 ft) of water, with the drilling equipment installed on the seabed to drill a well, before being refloated and transferred to other drilling sites.
VOSTCO Yard has experience in offshore projects and can build concrete foundations. Kvaerner will provide design services for the project in collaboration with VOSTCO.
Arctic areas are among thefrontiers of oil and gas exploration and development receiving attention as holding significant potential.
9/7/2012
