Elaboration of a conceptual solution for the development of the Arctic shelf from seasonally flooded coastal areas

Abstract

Currently, construction of facilities in the Arctic is carried out on sand islands, but there are limitations for remote coastal conditions. These restrictions are associated with the lack of quarries with construction sand in the immediate vicinity of the work site, as well as the risk of seasonal flooding of the territories. This article includes conceptual solutions for construction of modular piling in Arctic nearshore conditions, upon which drilling rigs and auxiliary equipment can be placed for the purpose of subsequent wildcatting, development and exploratory extended reach drilling wells (with measured depth about 15000 m). During the construction of the modular piling foundations, a mathematical simulation of the thermodynamic condition of the frozen ground was conducted, and the bearing capacity of the foundations was assessed. The proposed solutions will solve these problems by constructing modular pile foundations and placing the necessary infrastructure on them, taking into account the distribution of loads during operation in seasonally flooded areas.

Keywords

• Drilling & drillholes
• Stress analysis
• Offshore engineering
• Infrastructure planning
• Geotechnical engineering
• Extended reach drilling