Offshore ice-resistant fixed platform for the Dolginskoye field in the Pechora Sea

Master's thesis in Offshore technologyOil and Gas fields on the Russian Arctic Shelf are very difficult to develop as there is a lack of relevant experience around the world. Existing technical solutions should be improved and adjusted to the specific environment. Selection of an appropriate offshore facility design mainly depends on environmental conditions, in which the facility will be applied. The factors that have to be taken into consideration are: water depth, strength of the soil foundation, local and global ice forces, metocean and geographic conditions, etc. In addition, facilities and equipment have to be optimized in accordance with a number of criteria such as process design, safety, storage and supply capacity, access to construction materials, minimum capital/operational expenditures and so on. The master thesis will describe the concept for an Ice-resistant Fixed Production Platform that can successfully operate at the Dolginskoye field in the Pechora Sea. Because of the shallow water, the harsh ice conditions and the functional requirements a Gravity Based Structure (GBS) of the caisson-retained type will be suggested as the most efficient solution. Other GBS types are also considered for comparison. The existing experience of facilities currently installed in the Pechora Sea and other Arctic areas is taken into consideration for designing the concept. Technological features of the Prirazlomnaya OIRFP (Offshore Ice-resistant Fixed Platform) and the Varandey Oil Terminal are discussed in the work. In order to estimate all possible loads acting on the structure, its shape, size and material issues will be carefully analyzed. These parameters also influence transport and installation operations, weight and layout of topside equipment, storage capacity, and, therefore, the field development scenario. Finally, the thesis will present a conceptual model and calculations, which are needed to estimate on-bottom stability and the ice-breaking capability of the structure