December 2012, Vol. 239 No. 12

Projects

Rosneft, ExxonMobil Plan Study For Arctic Drilling Platform

Rosneft and ExxonMobil selected Vostochniy Offshore Structures Construction Yard to conduct a concept evaluation and feasibility study for a platform capable of exploring Kara Sea’s shallow waters.

Key attributes of the platform concept are safety and environmental protection measures for operating in Arctic conditions and the ability to withstand extreme ice, wind, wave and temperature conditions. The study will evaluate the feasibility of utilizing a gravity base structure that could extend the drilling season several months. Designed to operate in up to 200 feet of water, the structure with drilling equipment would be installed on the seabed to drill a well and then would be refloated.