End of an era in the North Sea
In 2006, Shell performed a seismic program in the Chukchi Sea, with a limited shallow hazards survey in the Beaufort Sea; other operations were cancelled due to unfavorable ice conditions. In 2007, Shell conducted two 3D seismic acquisitions (one in the Chukchi Sea and one in the Beaufort Sea) and a number of developmental assessments including shallow hazards surveys. Shell also planned to drill two exploratory wells in the Beaufort Sea, but these plans were put on hold pending resolution of a legal challenge to the environmental assessment produced by the Minerals Management Service (MMS). Shell placed a priority on preventing injury to marine mammals by sound produced by offshore operations. This involved proactively limiting sound. For example, before the seismic program even went to sea, Shell worked with the geophysical company to limit the size of the seismic energy source to only that required to meet the technical objectives, to maximize downward propagation of sound energy, and to minimize horizontal leakage by tuning the airgun array’s components.
Find out what Shell learned and how it will proceed with further arctic exploration in the report by authors Mark Kosiara, Michael Macrander, and Ian M. Voparil of Shell beginning on page 36.
To respond to articles in Offshore, or to offer articles for publication, contact the editor by email (eldonb@pennwell.com) or fax (1-713-963-6296).
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Volume 68 Issue 9
September 2008
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