bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Met-Ocean Services by FMI for Ice Management and Shipping in Ice
Authors: Eriksson Patrick B. , Majaniemi Sauli , Lensu Mikko , Karvonen Juha 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Shipping in sea ice and Ice Management (IM) encounter a number of challenges, starting from assessment of climatological conditions to critical tactical decision-making. The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) holds a broad field of expertise with over a century of experience in sea ice and weather services in harsh winter conditions. Close collaboration with the Baltic Sea icebreaking management, which has evolved and been honed for optimal winter navigation, has brought up a hands-on feel for operation in ice-covered seas. Through high-level research robust know-how of operating in Arctic conditions with its demanding technical requirements has been built up.
Arctic marine and offshore operations still have critical challenges to face. In IM for instance, the IM team needs to deal with difficult cases like rapid changes and reversals in ice drift, risk identification in the pack ice field and evaluation of the ice management vessel capacity. FMI has developed real-time, high-resolution and fast update rate approaches to ice monitoring. The refined data products include 1) EO SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) classification, 2) enhanced sea ice property extraction from marine radar data, 3) robust weather observations in Arctic conditions, 4) ice drift and ice compression forecasting, 5) ice drifters, 6) instant combination of any of the earlier.
By merging the multiple fields of expertise to operational products, FMI creates tailored service entities with high operational comfort. Easy and intuitive usage and fast and smooth data transfer are important factors.
Dynamic Response of Submerged Buoys Disconnected at Large Vessel Offsets
Authors: Srivastava Vikas , Hallai Julian , Campbell Brad , Kokkinis Ted 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Drilling vessels and production platforms conducting oil and gas operations in the Arctic will need to keep station in drifting pack ice. A rapid and safe disconnection system is needed as ice loads can exceed the capacity of the mooring system used for stationkeeping. Connecting all lines to a disconnectable submerged buoy has been proven effective for this purpose in open water. Using a similar system for vessels/platforms operating in ice requires special considerations as the disconnection of the buoy may need to take place at high offsets due to the high magnitude of ice loads.
There is no published work on the dynamics of submerged buoy for disconnection at high offsets. This paper presents new findings which were derived from numerical simulations for dynamic response of two disconnectable mooring buoy systems: a conventional medium size buoy with a compliant mooring system for a shuttle tanker in 200 m water depth (WD) and a larger buoy with a semi-taut mooring system for a drilling vessel in 500 m WD. Results for the global motion of the buoy and the dynamic contact loads between the buoy and the mating cone of the vessel soon after disconnect for various magnitudes of vessel offsets are presented in this paper. The results for the medium sized buoy with compliant mooring demonstrate strong nonlinear dependence of dynamic contact load on the disconnection offset in the range of 0 to 25% of the WD. The analysis results presented in this paper also show that a medium size buoy can have significant upward motion soon after exiting the mating cone and before it reaches its equilibrium position when the buoy is disconnected at high vessel offsets. For disconnections at very large vessel offset, the buoy during the upswing could impact the keel of an ice ridge. The large buoy with semi-taut mooring shows smaller upward motion for the 0 to 6% WD offset range considered in the simulations.
Best Practice in Ice Model Testing on Moored Floaters
Authors: Jochmann P. , Evers K.U. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The increase of activities in oil and gas exploration and production in cold regions during the last years is associated with the development of new innovative concepts with respect to arctic fixed and moored offshore installations. As a consequence there is a huge demand from the oil industry to validate the proposed concepts and feasibility studies. Apart from that, Numerical simulations may be beneficial to a certain extent to investigate the ice related problems, one can still not dispense with the execution of physical model tests. Worldwide there are only a limited number of facilities available, which are able to cope with the challenge of ice model tests at a proper model scale. The paper describes broadly the assets and drawbacks of different types of mooring systems ("wet" or "dry" mooring system) and the choice of suitable substituted mechanical systems with respect to their application for various ice scenarios. Alternatives how to design the model test set-up in order to measure the ice forces independently from the system response forces of moored floating structures will also be discussed.
Countermeasures for Bending and Abrupt Uplift of A Full-scale Test Chilled Gas Pipeline Observed at Boundary between Frozen Ground and Talik
Authors: Akagawa Satoshi , Huang Scott L. , Kanie Syunji , Fukuda Masami 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
In this paper the authors report the vertical bending properties of a test chilled gas pipeline and the countermeasures of the bending. A full-scale field experiment of the chilled gas pipeline system was conducted in Fairbanks, Alaska from 1999 to 2005. The length of the test pipeline was 105m and the diameter was 0.9m. The circulated chilled air was –10°C. One-third of the pipeline was buried in frozen ground and the rest of it was placed in talik. At the end of July 2003, circulation of the chilled air ceased, however, monitoring of the thaw settlement-related properties of the test pipeline continued until the middle of April 2005. The following results were presented at the 2nd ATC: 1) As the frost-bulb around the pipeline in talik section formed, the test pipeline in the talik section moved upward, resulting in bending of the pipeline at the boundary. 2) In summers, frozen overburden soil of the pipeline became thinner due to thawing of active layer above. The pipeline buried in frozen section moved upward abruptly, fracturing the thinning frozen overburden ground. 3) The phenomenon mentioned in 2) occurred in successive summers, and the pipeline uplift in frozensection continued. 4) In relation with 1), the upward movement in talik section was confirmed by frost heaving of the pipe foundation. In this report the bending behavior of the test pipeline is described and the several methods to deal with the bending are proposed.
Fixed Platforms – Development Challenges in Ice Infested Arctic
Authors: Eie Rolf , Rognaas Gunnar 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The Arctic is becoming increasingly important in securing energy supplies for the future, notwithstanding the economic, environmental and social challenge. Finding and extracting oil and gas in the Arctic and Subarctic regions is itself challenging due to extreme temperatures, ice conditions, remoteness and a sensitive natural environment.
This paper is based on experiences from delivering substructures for oil and gas production in arctic locations and recent concept development for all year exploration drilling and production in new arctic areas. Parameters and challenges driving solutions for ice resistant, arctic fixed platforms will be discussed and how these are handled in design and execution planning.
Arctic Mooring Systems – The Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Kwan Chi-Tat Thomas , Bond James , Yu Han , Morandi Alberto 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Recently the industry initiated 2 projects to address the issue of Arctic mooring systems. The first is an ABS study that includes a state of technology survey and an industry workshop for Arctic mooring systems. The ABS State of Technology Survey covers the topics of industry guidance and standards, ice loading predictions, current industry design practice, mooring hardware, and arctic operation philosophy. The ABS Industry Workshop has the objectives of providing a forum where industry experts could present their views and generate discussion, and to explore the need for a joint industry effort. At the end of the workshop, the general consensus indicated a need for a joint industry effort since the challenge is too big for any single company to meet.
The second is a JIP organized by Kwan Engineering Services and Global Maritime to address the issues identified by the ABS industry workshop. It has the objectives of developing a design and operation practice document, and providing a forum for the industry and regulators to exchange information/ideas and work together to build consensus. The JIP has 6 tasks: mooring strength design practice, disconnect and reconnect devices, mooring hardware, global ice load prediction, ice management, and mooring installation.
These studies indicate that current industry guidance and standards for mooring systems and Arctic structures are insufficient to address the design and operation of Arctic mooring systems. There are many challenging issues and disagreements to resolve. The Arctic mooring JIP initiated in 2013 has a large work scope and broad industry participation including operators, drilling contractors, designers, regulators, installation companies, and mooring component manufacturers. It is expected to produce a unified document based on rigorous investigations and consensus building, which will have a high impact on future Arctic mooring operations.
The Identification of Extreme Ice Features in Satellite Imagery
Authors: Zakharov Igor , Power Desmond , Bobby Pradeep , Randell Charles 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
P&gt;Sea ice monitoring is an important field of scientific research and relevant to operational applications. One of the major engineering challenges in undertaking production developments in Arctic offshore regions is the frequent presence of extreme ice features that pose a hazard to facilities and surrounding subsea infrastructure. The information on extreme ice features (i.e., ridges, icebergs etc.) is important from the standpoint of potential ice load levels on fixed structures and ice scouring of seafloor facilities. Satellite observation has been shown to be useful for extracting and characterizing ice regimes. Sea ice can be monitored using satellite imagery acquired by different types of sensors: microwave radiometer, optical instrument and synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The outputs of sea ice monitoring may include various ice parameters such as edge, thickness, concentration, classification, iceberg detection, and ice statistics. This paper describes application of high and low resolution SAR imagery for sea ice monitoring and to resolve local features and extend the statistical baseline to larger regions because extreme ice features may be invisible or ambiguous with other ice features in these data. The use of higher resolution imagery allows for easier detection of ice features and provides sufficient spatial detail necessary for detecting ice features from sea ice, identification and estimation of size and geometry of ice floes and icebergs. It was demonstrated that SAR sensors with multiple resolution lead to a better understanding of ice conditions including ice edge, concentration, floe statistics, and other ice features such as icebergs. A technique based on SAR interferometry was used for identification of iceberg in sea ice as well as for extracting iceberg topography.
Characterization of Hazardous Ice using Spaceborne SAR and Ice Profiling Sonar: Preliminary Results
Authors: Ersahin Kaan , Brown Leslie , Kanwar Anudeep , Henley Michael , Ross Ed , Fissel David 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Ice can pose hazard for operations (e.g., transportation, shipping, offshore oil and gas exploration) and for infrastructure (e.g., ports, pipelines, offshore structures). There is an increasing need for fine scale characterization of hazardous ice conditions. This information is of interest to many stakeholders including government departments and agencies, and the oil and gas industry. Spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors have demonstrated the viability and cost-effectiveness of near-real-time monitoring of the regional ice conditions. Satellite derived ice information products typically rely on the interpretation of ice analysts or in some cases semi-automated techniques, and cover relatively large areas at coarse resolution. Development of improved data products using high spatial resolution polarimetric RADARSAT-2 datasets (e.g., Fine Quad) is desired for detailed characterization of potentially hazardous ice conditions. Although validation of ice data products is challenging due to limited ground truth data, there are numerous sites throughout the Arctic with many years of continuous measurements of ice conditions obtained using bottom mounted Upward Looking Sonar (ULS) instruments. Using ULS data we have recently developed analytical methods to characterize highly deformed sea ice features including large individual keels, segments of hummocky ice, multi-year ice, and episodes of internal ice stress, which can also serve as validation data for SAR-based analysis. This paper presents an overview of our ongoing work and very preliminary results on hazardous ice characterization using SAR and ULS data. ULS data view from below and SAR data view from above are complementary information sources, and utilizing both is expected to result in better characterization of the ice conditions. During this work, paired SAR and ULS datasets will be generated to allow calibration and validation of algorithms, and methodologies will be developed to utilize these complementary data sources. This project is expected to (1) develop improved methods for fine scale analysis of RADARSAT-2 data; (2) develop enhanced information products generated in the hindcast mode when ULS and RADARSAT-2 are both available; (3) demonstrate potential for RCM (compact polarimetry). Calibrated and validated information products of hazardous ice will be extremely valuable for users who require such information for engineering design, to make management and policy decisions, and to safely perform operations.
Trenching of Pipelines for Protection in Ice Environments
Authors: Paulin Mike , Cocker Joseph , Humby Damien , Lanan Glenn 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Subsea pipelines located in ice environments need to be protected from potential ice gouging (also known as ice scouring) created when a moving ice keel interacts with the seabed. The integrity and operability of the pipeline can be affected by direct contact between the ice keel and the pipeline, or from loading imposed on the pipeline through soil deformation caused by ice gouging. The typical method considered for protecting against the risk of damage caused by ice gouging is through pipeline burial.
Conventional methods of pipeline burial use equipment such as ploughs, mechanical trenchers, and jetters, the majority of which have been designed to accomplish a maximum of 2 to 3m of pipeline burial. Dredges can be used but they have water depth limitations and limited productivity. Land based equipment has been used for shore crossings, but is limited to shallow water depths where temporary construction berms can be used as a working platform.
The capabilities of existing technologies are based on current industry practice developed for pipeline burial in ice free environments. Pipeline burial requirements have generally been for improved hydrodynamic stability, mechanical protection (e.g. from anchors), controlling pipeline movements (e.g. expansion and buckling) and/or for flow assurance purposes (reducing heat loss). A 2 to 3m burial depth has been generally adequate to satisfy these conventional requirements. As developments are proposed for areas that experience relatively deep ice gouging (up to 5m), burial depth requirements will exceed the capabilities of current pipeline burial technologies. New technologies capable of working in deeper water, achieving greater burial depths, achieving reasonable trenching advance rates, operating in harsh environments, and trenching through variable and difficult seabed soils will be required.
This paper highlights the issues and challenges surrounding pipeline trenching and burial in ice gouge environments. Current state-of-practice is discussed along with the technology gaps that need to be addressed to prepare for future offshore developments in ice covered waters where there is the potential for seabed ice gouging.
A New Jack-Up Unit Concept To Extend the Arctic Drilling Season
Authors: Urycheva Maria , Gudmestad Ove T. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Huge hydrocarbon resources, expected to be present in the Arctic area, have led the industry to explore the deposits of the Arctic seas, though such exploration is very challenging. Jack-up units are normally applied for drilling in shallow ice-free Arctic waters. Conventional jack-ups can be utilized only during the open water season. The installation of a jack-up can take place after the ice cover has cleared sufficiently for the jack-up to be maneuvered to site. At the end of the drilling season, the jack-up should be moved away before the sea freezes up, as the jack-up could get stuck in the ice cover.
The paper describes a new jack-up drilling rig concept suggested for shallow Arctic waters such that the drilling season can be extended by several weeks as compared with existing jack-up drilling rigs. The suggested concept comprises a ship-shaped hull with icebreaking capabilities and four columnar legs placed on outrigger arms and equipped with protective collars so the jack-up can withstand ice loads in the early ice period. Drilling through one of the jack-up legs is suggested to protect the drill string from possible ice impact at the end of the drilling season. This leg should have a telescopic design so that the derrick could be skidded over it before drilling.
The research comprises a detailed description of the main concept features and the estimation of the possible drilling season extension using the example of the Pechora Sea ice conditions. The study concludes that the considered jack-up can be an effective solution for exploration of shallow Arctic waters. The suggested jack-up design allows the crew to continue drilling operations for at least four to five weeks after the ice has started to form on the drilling site and to leave the location safely without costly icebreakers' assistance. In case a relief well has to be drilled in the area, the drilling season could be further extended with the implementation of heavy ice management.
Drilling with Casing System Continues Successful Drilling of Permafrost Sections in Arctic Circle of Western Siberia (Russian Federation)
Authors: Andrey Bakhtin , Gurban Valiyev , Stanislav Kulikov , Alexey Chumachenko , Dmitry Priymachenko , Vadim Mnatsekanov 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Oil and gas operators have explored in the Arctic regions of Russia for more than 40 years. Early drilling campaigns encountered significant problems drilling through the shallow permafrost sections due to degradation of drilling conditions as a result of permafrost thaw. Experience from these earlier operations and experiments conducted by Kutasov et al (1988) has highlighted the need to maintain chilled drilling mud to minimize permafrost thaw during the well construction process. After time technologies made step forward and casing drilling is in addition option with Kutasov technology to improve drilling process. This technology is one of the greatest developments in drilling operations. Casing drilling involves drilling and casing a well simultaneously.
Casing drilling system has been designed primarily for multi-well offshore platforms, multiwell operations on land, deep-water operations, and for situations requiring operators to drill through and place casing across problem formations quickly. This technology was applied successfully to drill through depleted reservoir (problems: wellbore instability, mud losses into the depleted zones) as an alternative to the underbalanced drilling, which requires special equipment.
Innovative Seismic Acquisition Techniques Improve Data Quality on Alaska’s North Slope
Authors: Winter Olivier , Maxwell Peter , Schmid Ron , Watt Howard , Bathellier Eric 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
CGG recently acquired the Tabasco multi-client, high-resolution 3D seismic survey on the North Slope of Alaska. It covers 133 sq. mi (Figure 1) and was designed for optimum imaging of the faulting and onlaps in the Cretaceous and Jurassic hydrocarbon-bearing sequences. The survey was the first multi-client survey performed in the area in over a decade. It was acquired in separate northern and southern parts, both of which were processed independently, and saw the first use of many high-end acquisition techniques in the region. It was the first-ever, high-productivity, extended slip-sweep vibroseis program acquired on the North Slope, breaking previously-established records and setting a new standard at 5,000 records gathered in a 24-hr period. It also introduced the proprietary EmphaSeis broadband vibroseis technique, providing a frequency range of 4-80Hz. Thus, the survey delivered a number of innovative solutions in this challenging environment.
Application of Ground Penetrating RADAR for Profiling and Bathymetric Survey of Shallow Frozen
Authors: Cross R.C. , Lee W.J. , Poeckert R. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) was used to survey the bathymetry and sub-bottom features of a frozen lake in Ontario, Canada. A 50 MHz GPR measured the lake depth to a maximum of 24 meters. Sub-bottom features and sediment thickness were simultaneously observed and recorded with the GPR. Single beam sonar hydrographic surveying methods were applied to the data acquisition process and quality control procedures. Quality control checks revealed a vertical accuracy of approximately 0.25 meters while the horizontal positional accuracy was approximately 0.1 meters through the use of Real-time Kinematic (RTK) GPS. A contoured bathymetric map was generated from the data set as well as an isopach of sediment thickness. GPR is demonstrated to be effective for measuring water depth, ice thickness, and sub-bottom features of ice covered lakes.
Ice Load Estimation Methods for LNG Jetty Design in Various Ice-Structure Interactive Conditions
Authors: Nakazawa Naoki , Terashima Takashi 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
In this study, the authors proposed the ice load estimation methods for LNG jetty design in the southern coast of Sakhalin Island by building scenarios of ice forces exerted on the structures, e.g. i) driving ice force with geographical features considered, ii) ice force with jamming effects considered, iii) ice force with jamming effects and non-simultaneous ice failure considered, and iv) ice force with no jamming. The possibility of ice jamming cannot be ignored when consideration is given to the geometrical configuration of the close proximity of the jetty supports. However, using the mechanisms that consider the failure of ice around a single support, it has been demonstrated that the predicted ice loads are larger than those resulting from ice jamming occurring between a series of closely spaced supports.