Info!
UPDATED 1 Sept: The EI library in London is temporarily closed to the public, as a precautionary measure in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The Knowledge Service will still be answering email queries via email , or via live chats during working hours (09:15-17:00 GMT). Our e-library is always open for members here: eLibrary , for full-text access to over 200 e-books and millions of articles. Thank you for your patience.
UPDATED 1 Sept: The EI library in London is temporarily closed to the public, as a precautionary measure in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The Knowledge Service will still be answering email queries via email , or via live chats during working hours (09:15-17:00 GMT). Our e-library is always open for members here: eLibrary , for full-text access to over 200 e-books and millions of articles. Thank you for your patience.
Russia and ExxonMobil start drilling in the Kara Sea
Rosneft and ExxonMobil joint venture company Karmorneftegaz recently began drilling at Universitetskaya-1, the Russian Federation’s northernmost well on the Arctic Shelf, using the West Alpha rig. The venture hopes to discover a new Kara Sea oil-bearing province. The Universitetskaya structure is thought to hold more than 1.3bn toe of resources.
Rosneft reports that, according to experts, the volume of the Kara Sea oil province resources exceeds the oil and gas resources the Gulf of Mexico, the Brazilian shelf, the shelf of Alaska and Canada, and it will be comparable to the resource base of Saudi Arabia.
The Norwegian company North Atlantic Drilling’s rig is held on the drilling site by an eight-anchor positioning system, which provides advanced stability. It is equipped with an innovative system for the monitoring of ice condition, icebergs detection and tracking of sea ice, using infrared cameras and modern onboard radars, and analysing satellite and air intelligence data.
To make sure West Alpha can operate safely in severe ice conditions, Rosneft and ExxonMobil developed a unique iceberg collision prevention plan. It even includes applying physical action to the ice. Should experts suspect a hummock or floe can damage the rig, special support vessels will tow it away to a safe distance. If physical action is impossible, the system will isolate the well in a way that is harmless for the environment, and the rig will transfer to a safer location. The rig is equipped with two groups of blowout preventers and an enhanced subsea shut-in device.
News Item details
Journal title: Petroleum Review
Region: Russia & Central Asia
Countries: Russia -
Subjects: Exploration and production
