I admit that I’m a bit obsessed with ice-capable rigs. While from operational point of view whoever is dilling off Alaska could perhaps carry out drilling operations without major problems using a “normal” drilling unit with some additional winterization against low ambient temperatures, the politicians and their voters could start getting second thoughts about the safety of the operation if e.g. Shell brought an open-water rig to the Arctic and relied only on ice management vessels. Thus, the drilling unit should be at least structurally strengthened for operations in ice and, considering its stationary nature, should be otherwise suitable for operation in drifting ice with low concentration. After all, the ice management vessels cannot steer every small floe away from the drilling unit.
However, IMHO all vessels of the support fleet should be strengthened for navigation in ice. Below is a video clip from yours truly showing the ice conditions off Alaska in early November 2012 when the drilling season ended. In such conditions, a supply vessel doesn’t necessarily need icebreaker escort to reach the platform, but a vessel without ice strengthening could still be risking structural damage. In more difficult ice conditions, that would be the case even if the ship was following an icebreaker because there is always some ice left in the channel (especially in case of ships like Aiviq which do not have azimuth thrusters).
The ice class requirements are being driven by politics and safety theatre. The conditions shown in the video are milder than what the fishing boats with no ice class deal with around the Pribilofs every winter.
If they set the drilling season from around July 1st when the ice is usually gone until ice usually arrives around October 15th, no ice class would be needed. It seems ridiculous to build a fleet of ice class vessels to extend the drilling season by two or three weeks before they find any oil. If they do find a lot of oil, they are going to need rigs and support vessels capable of operating a longer season.
[QUOTE=Tups;144777]However, IMHO all vessels of the support fleet should be strengthened for navigation in ice. Below is a video clip from yours truly showing the ice conditions off Alaska in early November 2012 when the drilling season ended. In such conditions, a supply vessel doesn’t necessarily need icebreaker escort to reach the platform, but a vessel without ice strengthening could still be risking structural damage. In more difficult ice conditions, that would be the case even if the ship was following an icebreaker because there is always some ice left in the channel (especially in case of ships like Aiviq which do not have azimuth thrusters).[/QUOTE]
and to think that what Shell is paying for the AIVIQ they could have had a FENNICA? What RUBES!
[QUOTE=ENG.207;144710]Last I heard Polar Pioneer was to be a “stand-by” rig only. Or at least for a certain period of time. It’s possible it may not even drill.[/QUOTE]
Well, in the new plan the Shell boys submitted they are going to take out both of them (Polar Pioneer and Noble Discoverer) for simultanous drilling around the Burger Prospect. They reason that they are close enough to each other then to be each other’s back up (for relief well drilling).
I think that’s how it was supposed to work with Noble Discoverer and Kulluk drilling in adjacent prospects.
[QUOTE=c.captain;144790]and to think that what Shell is paying for the AIVIQ they could have had a FENNICA? What RUBES![/QUOTE]
I wonder how much more it would have cost to fit Aiviq with azimuth thrusters and AC/AC power plant. Of course, while it would have made her a better icebreaker (in terms of maneuverability), it would have not fixed any of the other issues.
[QUOTE=c.captain;144808]But what if they both blow up simultaneously? How bout that?[/QUOTE]
Then finally at nearly 50 years old, the Frankenrig, aka Noble Discoverer, will finally be at peace with herself!
[QUOTE=Tups;144777]However, IMHO all vessels of the support fleet should be strengthened for navigation in ice. Below is a video clip from yours truly showing the ice conditions off Alaska in early November 2012 when the drilling season ended. In such conditions, a supply vessel doesn’t necessarily need icebreaker escort to reach the platform, but a vessel without ice strengthening could still be risking structural damage. In more difficult ice conditions, that would be the case even if the ship was following an icebreaker because there is always some ice left in the channel (especially in case of ships like Aiviq which do not have azimuth thrusters).
Slightly surprised to see the icebreaker taking that yellow capping thing all the way back to Europe. You would think they leave that kind of equipment behind in Dutch Harbor or somewhere in the US and don’t take extra luggage home.
[QUOTE=Drill Bill;144863]Slightly surprised to see the icebreaker taking that yellow capping thing all the way back to Europe. You would think they leave that kind of equipment behind in Dutch Harbor or somewhere in the US and don’t take extra luggage home.[/QUOTE]
Well, visiting Dutch Harbor or any other US port south of the Bering Strait and returning to the Chukchi Sea for the voyage home would have been expensive in terms of fuel, time, port fees etc. After all, once Aiviq and Kulluk had been escorted to the ice edge, the icebreakers headed west and sailed directly to Europe through the Northeast Passage.
[QUOTE=Tups;144882]Well, visiting Dutch Harbor or any other US port south of the Bering Strait and returning to the Chukchi Sea for the voyage home would have been expensive in terms of fuel, time, port fees etc. After all, once Aiviq and Kulluk had been escorted to the ice edge, the icebreakers headed west and sailed directly to Europe through the Northeast Passage.[/QUOTE]
always a huge hurdle in any exploration done in the Arctic but worse would be production someday when that happens. I believe we all once came to the conclusion that Nome or Port Clarence were the only feasible locations to build an Arctic support base but even that will cost billions and take years. No way in hell there will ever be any production during the remainder of my career and maybe not even in my lifetime but if the play in the Chukchi is as big as is believed, it will someday be a very big show up there with some very impressive equipment. I just hope to hell that it doesn’t become a Chouest only show. That is not their territory…they don’t belong in the Arctic. That should be Crowley and Foss there!
Crowley has no interest in that line of work. They are focussing on ATB’s and product tankers. They don’t even seem to care about Alaskan operations anymore anyways.
[QUOTE=Hoggy;144890]Crowley has no interest in that line of work. They are focussing on ATB’s and product tankers. They don’t even seem to care about Alaskan operations anymore anyways.[/QUOTE]
remember that Crowley did built the OCEAN class tugs for the offshore but at least Foss then and other west coast or specifically Alaskan maritime companies need to lead support vessel operations for Arctic exploration!
I agree that Crowley should have been the ones to tow, not Chouest and the Aiviq. I also agree the crews that are experienced in Alaska should stay the operators up there, but I just don’t see those companies building boats for specific jobs like Chouest/ Harvey will. Also those companies being union poses a problem with their low pay, because the mariners they need to hire with experience running OSV’s in the gulf won’t work for less money.
If Crowley or Foss wants to be in the Alaska OSV business, then they should buy a couple of small Gulf OSV companies to learn the OSV business and train their guys with Alaska experience in OSV operations.
One of the large Gulf OSV companies told me that they don’t need to hire anymore mariners with Alaska experience, because----their existing guys got all the Alaska experience that they need the last time they were up here. It sounds like the Gulf OSV companies did not learn a damn thing from the last fiasco.
[QUOTE=Hoggy;144900]I agree that Crowley should have been the ones to tow, not Chouest and the Aiviq. I also agree the crews that are experienced in Alaska should stay the operators up there, but I just don’t see those companies building boats for specific jobs like Chouest/ Harvey will. Also those companies being union poses a problem with their low pay, because the mariners they need to hire with experience running OSV’s in the gulf won’t work for less money.[/QUOTE]
The Foss officers are nonunion “management” on salary. I think it might be the same at Crowley. However, there are a lot less Crowley boats in Alaska than there use to be. Damn few. Both companies, and others, have a lot guys already at or beyond retirement age. They will have to raise wages in the next couple of years anyway.
Crowley is MMP. The last contract had a raise but still isn’t near the gulf. And there are fewer boats in AK because Crowley jr wants to be in tankers and ATB’s. The big osv companies will forever rule.
Makes sense indeed, especially from an economic point of view. But since the icebreakers never went back (for drilling ops) they’re now stuck with the damn thing in Finland.
[QUOTE=Hoggy;144907]Crowley is MMP. The last contract had a raise but still isn’t near the gulf. And there are fewer boats in AK because Crowley jr wants to be in tankers and ATB’s. The big osv companies will forever rule.[/QUOTE]
MMP pay for masters, at least at one PNW company where I know, is $335 a day, plus ATO, totaling $670.
Foss pays more.
Crowley’s Western Alaska fleet is Local 5000 of the United Steelworkers. The pay is so low I don’t even want to hear about it. Those are the guys who know the Chukchi Sea. I was led, or misled, to believe that at least some of Crowley’s other PNW boats were management in the wheelhouse. Guess I’m wrong.
[QUOTE=Number360;144898]Ahhh…New companies for Gary to buy.[/QUOTE]
Calista Corp, the Alaska Native Regional Corp for part of the Chukchi area, bought an oil field services company in the Gulf, GIS. I have seen a bunch of GIS crewboats in the Gulf, not sure what else GIS does. The Red Dog mine and its port are on Calista land.
Arctic Slope Regional Corp, another Native Corp, is already a major Shell Contractor. They have tons of money and buy companies all the time.
I think that for a variety of political and economic reasons these Native Corps will end up being the major players in the Arctic Alaska OSV business.
