Arctic Engineering Projects

Offering leading-edge knowledge and experience in the arctic environment.

Client:

Various

Location:

Various

Project Scope:

IMV Projects offers leading-edge knowledge of the arctic environment, including structural, process, geotechnical and pipeline engineering and construction for frontier onshore and offshore developments.

Currently, IMV is involved in conceptual, pre-FEED, FEED and field engineering projects for major clients in the Canadian Grand Banks, the US Beaufort Sea and Russia. Below are a range of recent arctic projects undertaken by IMV.

Arctic Concept Screening Study

IMV's scope included identification of arctic concept alternatives, full screening of alternatives and development of "high-graded shortlist" of options for further definition and evaluation in Pre-FEED and FEED. Concept generation workshops and screening workshops were held with client representatives and a shortlist of options was proposed.

Modularization & Transportation Study

This IMV study evaluated facilities modularization applied to remote Northern Alberta oil and gas production facilities in response to a number of factors beyond cost. A component of this study was evaluation of module transport from Gulf Coast/Asian fabrication yards to Northern Alberta; an investigated option was sea transport through the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas to Tuktoyaktuk. This option required consideration/assessment of Arctic metocean and ice conditions, physical route restrictions, and equipment capabilities.

Mobile Ice-Resistant Drilling Unit (MIRDR)

IMV was contracted to develop a conceptual design and feasibility assessment for a new mobile, bottom-founded exploration and early production structure for use in the Laptev Sea and East Siberian Sea. Assessment included conceptual level ice loads and required ice strengthening, cost estimates and engineering, procurement, construction and installation schedule.

Screening Study of Production Options for Labrador Sea

IMV was selected to undertake a screening study to provide a group of confidential stakeholders with a broader understanding of the exploration issues and production options for Labrador Sea gas and to assess the technical risks, costs and risk mitigation measures associated with protection, installation and operations for each option. The stakeholder group included a number of major International Oil Companies (IOC's) with interest in potential gas development in the Labrador Sea. The scope of work included a review of the issues related to exploration in the study area and an initial screening of three production options: (1) subsea tieback to shore; (2) subsea tieback to a FPSO off the shelf, and (3) subsea tieback to a GBS on the shelf. Screening included subsea equipment, submarine pipelines and a gravity base structure (GBS) option including protection, installation and operations issues.

Alaskan Offshore Development Conceptual Study

IMV has been working since 2005 on plans for exploration and production offshore Alaska. The original comprehensive study involved a specific location and included determination of design global ice loads, assessment of foundation conditions, sizing of steel gravity base (GBS) production platforms, pipeline feasibility including burial depth requirements for protection from ice scour, conceptual limit strain design of offshore/onshore pipeline segments and drilling and topside requirements. IMVPA continues to support client assessment of development options for its Alaskan offshore lease holdings.

Arctic Offshore Pipeline Technology Feasibility

IMV conducted an Arctic Offshore Pipelines Technology Review for a major International Oil Company (IOC), including conceptual, preliminary and detailed structure and pipeline design, pipeline/soil interaction analysis, pipeline route and structure site selection and assessment, pipeline risk analysis and permitting.

Conceptual Arctic Offshore Pipeline & Subsea Installation Study

IMV conducted a study to assess technical requirements, costs, schedule, and risks associated with the installation and construction of offshore pipelines and subsea infrastructure in the high-arctic. Both winter and summer construction scenarios were evaluated.

Iceberg and Ice Keel Protection, Risk Mitigation, and Feasibility

IMV carried out numerous studies that have evaluated the feasibility of subsea developments and/or subsea pipelines in ice prone areas. These studies have also involved estimating pipeline/flowline burial depths, evaluating trenching/burial technologies for harsh environments, identifying glory hole and ice management requirements/considerations, as well as other risk avoidance and mitigation measures.