Author(s): D. M. Masterson; R. Cooper; P. A. Spencer; W. P. Graham
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Abstract: Pioneer Natural Resources drilled three exploratory wells from grounded ice islands during the winter of 2003 in 3m (10 ft. ) of water in Harrison Bay Alaska, located west of Prudhoe Bay on in the southern Beaufort Sea. The islands were built using sprayed ice for the main bulk of the material and were finished using ice chips mined from the local sea ice near shore. As well, 32 km (20 miles) of grounded ice road was constructed using ice chips. The road was used to transport two drilling rigs to the islands, one rig weighing 680 tonnes (1,500,000 lbs. ) and the other 1140 tonnes (2,500,000 lbs. ). Drilling from the first island started in mid-February 2003 and all drilling was completed by end March 2003. Ice build-up rates, chip haul rates, ice strength and density and seabed subgrade modulus were measured to substantiate the engineering assumptions made during design of the islands and roads. The ice islands and surrounding pack ice were monitored for movement during drilling using DGPS. Vertical settlement of the islands was also monitored. Extensive monitoring of the rig moves over the ice roads was conducted, where minor breakthroughs were encountered for the heavier rig.
Year: 2004