A SYSTEM FOR OFFSHORE DRILLING IN THE ARCTIC ISLANDS

Describes a system to drill these fields by which the ocean ice is artificially thickened to carry the weight of conventional land rigs weighing up to 845 tons. The first well, Panarctic W. Hecla N-52, was successfully drilled in March and April of 1974 approximately 8 miles offshore and in 421 feet of water. To date, five wells have been drilled in up to 940 feet of water and 14 miles from shore. This technological breakthrough means that offshore fields can be proven now, rather than waiting for several years for sophisticated offshore drilling rigs that could cope with the severe ice conditions found in the Canadian Arctic Ocean.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Presented at the Eighth Annual Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, Texas, May 3-6,1976.
• Corporate Authors:

  Offshore Technology Conference

  6200 North Central Expressway
  Dallas, TX  United States  45206
• Authors:
  • Baudais, D J
  • Watts, J S
  • Masterson, D M
• Conference:
  • Presented at the Eighth Annual Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, Texas, May 3-6,1976.
• Publication Date: 1976-5

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 31-44

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Drilling; Ice islands; Offshore drilling platforms; Offshore oil industry
• Geographic Terms: Arctic Regions
• Old TRIS Terms: Arctic drilling
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00138236
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Offshore Technology Conference
• Report/Paper Numbers: V3, OTC 2622 Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 4 1976 12:00AM