Sea Ice Can Pose Real Threat for Operations, Says Norway’s Petroleum Safety Authority

Icebergs and sea ice can pose a 'real threat' to installations if they collide, Arne Kvitrud, Petroleum Safety Authority’s ice expert, said on Thursday. 

‘Thanks to the Gulf Stream, the southern Barents Sea is usually ice-free all year round, but icebergs and sea ice can pose a real threat to installations if they collide’ reads a note released by Norway’s PSA. 

According to Kvitrud, the probability of finding sea ice and bergs south of Bear Island is low, but not zero.  

“If they’re seen today, the rule is to disconnect and move away. That hasn’t been necessary since exploration began in the far north”.

While the ice should not be a problem for the installations on Goliat, the operations at Johan Castberg will be more complicated and disconnection should be completed. 

"The best solution is to avoid ice hitting the platform at all. It could damage risers or other structures. So the aim is to keep well clear. The most recent drilling jobs have had to be 50 kilometres from the marginal ice zone. Should that get any closer, the rig must disconnect. No operations have been so close to the ice edge” Kvitrud said.