The purpose of this research is to build upon the knowledge gained from freeze-up studies conducted since 2009 and to build upon the information acquired during the 2017 and 2020 break-up studies, which BSEE will make publicly available.
As Arctic ice has receded, exploration and development of oil reserves have increased, thereby requiring an effective strategy to mitigate oil spills. PNNL proposes demonstrating oil detection in and under sea ice via FMCW radar by leveraging recent advancements in commercial subcomponents and systems. Utilizing Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) hardware will address hardware reliability issues and focus work on implementation challenges.
This project supported the design, construction, and testing of an ice deflection system called BOWHEAD. The system can be deployed on the side of a vessel with an existing skimmer system. This project built upon previous work conducted under a Joint Industry Project that developed the MORICE system (BSEE project 310.) The project enhanced the MORICE system based on recommendations made in the MORICE final report. The BOWHEAD focuses on simplicity, scalability, ease of operation, and deployability, and can be paired with multiple commercially available skimming systems.
The proposed study is to provide a description of the Alaskan Arctic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)meteorological/ oceanography (metocean) and operational conditions which, in the event of a loss-of-well-control situation, shall: preclude the safe deployment of Source Control and Containment Equipment (SCCE); preclude the operator from safely drilling a relief well; allow one method, but preclude the other and; provide historical statistical analysis of the Alaskan Arctic OCS drilling season, over the past 5 years, in which metocean additionally, provide the BSEE Alaska Region with a histori
The purpose of this circumpolar Arctic response viability analysis was to better understand the potential for different oil spill response systems to operate in the Arctic marine environment. There is increasing concern about the risk of oil spills as human activity increases in the Arctic. The Arctic Council’s Emergency Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (EPPR) Working Group commissioned this study of oil spill response viability for the circumpolar Arctic region, co-sponsored by Norway, the United States, and Denmark.
This project developed the Arctic Spill Response Database Query Tool. This tool is designed to assist spill reponse planning by gathering reliable data on response equipement and geographical reach, from the eight member nations of Arctic Council. The extent of damage resulting from an oil spill can be mitigated when the availability of resources is known, logistics channels are clear, and contingency plans are in place.
This is a continuation of design, fabrication, and testing of technology developed in E14PC00028. Field testing of Lamb-wave Detection Geo-Referencing Identification and Satellite (LDGRIDSAT) tag and Underwater Identification (UWID) tag will be tested off of Barrow, Alaska. ThIce Floe Tracking System (IFTS) will advance to a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 8 where the fully integrated system will be tested in a real environment. The technology will be ready for field use at the close of the project.
The overall goal of the proposed research is to better predict fracture of the ice cover on the Arctic Ocean and of attendant effects on the safety of ships and offshore structures used in the exploration and harvesting of oil and gas from beneath the ocean. Through this research a systematic series of experiments will be conducted to characterize and understand the fatigue of deformation.
This project designed, built, and tested an active ice management system (AIMS) prototype to allow for improved mechanical recovery in broken ice with standard stationary skimmers. The AIMS provided a cage around a skimmer to prevent ice from entering the recovery zone. In addition, the AIMS provided six rotating drums at the cage perimeter to prevent ice from stagnating and clogging the perimeter. The rotating drums could be fitted with augers or spikes.
The purpose of this ISB Ignition project is to improve ignition capabilities required for in situ burn operations. Conventional methods of ignition systems are all applied from above the spilled oil and have many limitations. This ignition device will ignite the oil from below the slick, require minimal human contact, and provide high heat flux over periods of time for use in the Arctic or for difficult-to-ignite oils (including emulsified oils).
