The Challenges and Key Technology of Drilling Safety in the Area of the Arctic

Abstract

The Arctic is rich in oil and gas resources, which has been the focus on international oil petroleum companies presently. Understanding the challenges and key technologies of drilling safety in this area is of great importance for promoting safe and making high efficient development of oil and gas resources. Through a large number of literature research and field investigation, Arctic drilling safety key technologies as well as main research progress have been analyzed in domestic and abroad and have arrived at the following conclusions: the primary challenges for oil and gas exploration and development of Arctic include harsh operating environment, long-distance logistic support, and stringent environmental requirements. The investigation results indicate that main research directions for the Arctic oil and gas exploration and development should include long-distance icebreaker safeguard ship, ice monitoring and management system, the assessment and control of the disaster or risk, low-temperature drilling fluid system, which are the key technologies for the high efficiency and safe development of oil and gas resources in cold water area of the Arctic. Some exploratory viewpoints and recommendations for the Arctic oil and gas exploration and development on drilling safety are also proposed.