Literature Survey: Servicing the Arctic
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Servicing the Arctic Report 1: Design requirements and operational profile of an Arctic Offshore Support Vessel Arctic Minor Team Literature Survey Servicing the Arctic Report 1: Design requirements and operational profile of an Arctic Offshore Support Vessel Literature Survey R.W. Bos (4114620) T.J. Huisman (4080777) M.P.W. Obers (4113187) T. Schaap (4089561) M. van der Zalm (4095316) Version: January 22, 2013 Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering (3mE) Delft University of · Technology Cover picture from: Free HD wallpapers (http://www.listofimages.com/kapitan-khlebnikov- icebreaker-ship-arctic-ice-winter-snow-other.html) Copyright c • All rights reserved. Abstract Background The Dutch maritime industry has only limited knowledge about Arctic engi- neering, in spite of a growing market and interest by the oil and gas industry. This literature survey is the first in a series of three reports to develop a concept design of an Arctic Off- shore Support Vessel (AOSV). The purpose is to give a perspective on Arctic shipping with a specific focus on offshore platform support and to provide a design framework for AOSVs. The information in this report is based on technical papers from the Internet, contact with different companies and Arctic courses from the Aalto University in Espoo, Finland. Results In general oil companies have a rising interest in the natural resource in the Arctic region. Next to their spending in Research and Development (R&D), also shipyards, suppliers and operators are eager to increase development for the harsh environments. This study shows, that every region in the Arctic has different weather and infrastructure conditions as well as different national laws and regulations. Next to that, operations in the harsh environment have high impact on the performance of the ship and its crew. This report gives an overview on technology available for operating in the Arctic, such as double acting hull, azimuth thrusting and other ice breaking technologies. Increasing research in Arctic engineering results in new, more reliable technologies and opens the possibility to design more advanced Arctic vessels. A big challenge in Arctic engineering is to have a optimal compromise between open water and ice behavior. Due to higher costs for among others R&D, material and equipment an AOSV will be more expensive. Operators, on the other hand, are also willing to pay more for them, because of the high amount of natural resources in the Arctic region. The expected focus of the industry is on Baffin Bay, Barents Sea and Beaufort Sea. This study discusses the estimated oil reserves, existing infrastructure and environmental impact. Also the operations an AOSV is likely to perform are given. Conclusions This report gives a wide overview on Arctic shipping. For most of its subjects more in depth research is needed to get a better understanding of the effects and specific demands of the Arctic. Nevertheless it is possible to develop AOSV that can operate in those three areas mentioned. But in the end a perfect AOSV cannot be made, it can only be optimized for some of the predefined requirements as stated in the operational profile. ii Abstract Contents Abstract i List of Figures viii List of Tables x Preface xi Acknowledgements xiii Glossary xvii Introduction 1 Target ........................................ 1 Scope of Work .................................... 2 Structure ....................................... 2 I Overview of Arctic offshore issues 5 1 Market Overview 7 1-1 Main players ..................................... 7 1-2 Current projects ................................... 8 1-3 Economic feasibility ................................. 9 iv Contents 2 Overview of Arctic Shipping 11 2-1 Icebreaker technology ................................ 11 2-1-1 Hull shape .................................. 11 2-1-2 Propulsion .................................. 12 2-1-3 Other technologies ............................. 12 2-2 Human factors .................................... 12 2-3 Arctic risks ...................................... 14 3 Supplying the Arctic 15 3-1 Requirements of an Arctic Offshore Support Vessel ................ 15 3-2 Challenges and solutions .............................. 17 II Important factors for Arctic Offshore Support 19 4 Ice Regimes 21 4-1 Age of the ice .................................... 21 4-2 Movement and concentration ............................ 22 4-3 Level ice ....................................... 22 4-4 Ice floes and rafted ice ............................... 22 4-5 Rubble pile and field ................................. 22 4-6 Ice ridges ....................................... 23 4-7 Ice islands and Icebergs ............................... 23 5 Geographical Areas 25 5-1 Maps ......................................... 26 5-2 Weather ....................................... 26 5-2-1 Baffin bay .................................. 27 5-2-2 Canadian Arctic Archipelago ........................ 27 5-2-3 Greenland .................................. 28 5-2-4 Beaufort Sea ................................. 29 5-2-5 Chuckchi Sea ................................ 30 5-2-6 Okhotsk Sea ................................. 31 5-2-7 North Caspian Sea ............................. 32 5-2-8 Baltic Sea .................................. 33 5-2-9 Barents Sea ................................. 34 5-2-10 Kara Sea ................................... 35 5-2-11 Laptev Sea .................................. 36 5-2-12 East Siberian sea .............................. 37 5-3 Ports ......................................... 38 Contents v 6ArcticRisks 43 6-1 Consequences .................................... 43 6-1-1 Operational consequences ......................... 43 6-1-2 Direct environmental consequences ..................... 45 6-1-3 Indirect consequences ............................ 45 6-2 Environment considerations ............................. 47 6-2-1 Fuel comparison ............................... 47 6-3 Probability ...................................... 49 7 Crew Conditions 51 7-1 General issues for seafarers ............................. 51 7-1-1 Social isolation ............................... 51 7-1-2 Fatigue of seafarers ............................. 52 7-1-3 Family life .................................. 52 7-1-4 Impact of technology on seafarers ..................... 52 7-2 Effects of harsh environments on the crew ..................... 53 7-2-1 Social isolation and fatigue of seafarers .................. 53 7-2-2 Hazards and performance-influencing factors ................ 53 7-2-3 Developments in training .......................... 54 8 Laws and Regulations 57 8-1 International rules .................................. 57 8-2 National Legislation ................................. 58 8-3 Classification societies ................................ 59 8-4 Developments .................................... 59 9 Ship Types and Solutions 63 9-1 History of ice breaking vessels ............................ 63 9-2 Ship components .................................. 67 9-2-1 Hull ..................................... 67 9-2-2 Propulsion .................................. 69 9-2-3 Machinery .................................. 70 9-2-4 Additional measures ............................. 71 9-3 Materials ....................................... 71 9-3-1 Production effects .............................. 71 9-3-2 Practical effects ............................... 72 vi Contents 10 Market Research 77 10-1 Oil companies .................................... 77 10-2 Projects ....................................... 78 10-3 OSV operators .................................... 80 10-4 Shipbuilders and -designers ............................. 80 10-5 Sub contractors ................................... 82 10-6 Class Societies .................................... 82 10-7 Transporters ..................................... 85 10-8 Governments ..................................... 85 10-9 Non governmental organizations .......................... 85 11 Economic feasibility 95 11-1 Driving factors industry ............................... 95 11-1-1 Natural resources .............................. 96 11-1-2 Changing environmental conditions ..................... 97 11-1-3 Development and investments ....................... 98 11-1-4 Infrastructure ................................ 99 11-2 Development of Arctic Offshore Support Vessels .................. 99 11-2-1 Operational need .............................. 99 11-2-2 Cost factors ................................. 100 12 Operations in the Arctic 103 12-1 Operation areas ................................... 103 12-2 Scenarios ....................................... 105 12-3 Exploration activities ................................ 106 12-3-1 Oil and Gas ................................. 106 12-3-2 Mineral mining ............................... 107 12-4 Operations and Requirements ............................ 108 12-4-1 Winterization and Ice Class ......................... 108 12-4-2 Ice Management ............................... 110 12-4-3 Anchor Handling, Towing and Supply ................... 111 12-4-4 Emergency Operations ........................... 112 12-4-5 Dynamic Positioning ............................ 114 12-4-6 Underwater Operations ........................... 115 12-4-7 Seismic operations .............................. 115 13 Conclusion 121 ACharts 123 B Locations oil companies 141 C Equivalent ice classes 145 D Material Table 149 E Marpol Garbage Rules 151 List of Figures 1-1 Additional cost factors of