Basis of Design and Specifications for Shallow Water Arctic MODU for Year-round Operation, Development and Exploration

Abstract

AbstractIn Arctic offshore areas where exploration and production of hydrocarbons may occur, a substantial portion lies in water depths less than 50 meters. Currently there are no MODU's which can drill all different well types, production and exploration, over a wide range of water depths from 10 m to 50 m, ice conditions, and facilitate alternative development plans, using wellhead platforms. ConocoPhillips Company, in cooperation with Keppel, Offshore and Marine and Technology Centre, have developed a basis of design and specifications for a Self elevating Arctic Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU) for use in these water depths capabilities to drill a wide range of wells.Economics require that a new build Arctic MODU be highly productive and operate nearly year-round. The Basis of Design and specifications result in a MODU that would have a wide range of application, be highly productive, and make alternative field development concepts viable.The focus of this paper is to detail major items that impact the size, weight, and configuration of an Arctic MODU. This will result in a conceptual unit design that will be used in determine ice loads, layout, and structural design of the Arctic MODU.