Ice Protection Barrier Construction in Caspian Sea

This paper summarizes the execution of an on-going ice protection barrier construction project in the Northern Caspian Sea, Kazakhstan. The Project started in May, 2001 and a total of five artificial islands for oil drilling activities were completed until November, 2007. Ice protection structures consist of stronghold and barrier heads distributed around oil drilling islands (with dimensions of 90 m by 110 m to 90 m by 160 m) in order to protect the island from drifting ice ridges. These cofferdams consist of sheet piles and steel pipe piles with various dimensions. The piles were driven by vibro hammers and drop hammers. The construction site is located in an extremely sensitive environmental area designated as “Specially Protected Zone” where the water depths typically range from approximately 1.5 m to 6 m. The subsoil conditions at the construction site consist of fine sandy clay and silt marine sediments overlaying predominantly firm to stiff clay layers. Activities within this region are subject to stringent controls, therefore a strict HSE and Quality Control / Quality Assurance Programs are implemented in the construction works