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Arctic Opening: Opportunity and Risk in the High North
box4: Arctic Drilling
As exploration for hydrocarbons moves into ever
last well into the more hazardous winter season. If a
remoter regions of the Arctic, the harsh environment
spill did occur in the Arctic, some commentators have
presents many challenges and risks for drilling
suggested that there might be insufficient resources
operators. Maintaining well integrity is essential for
and equipment to stem an out-of-control well
drilling and producing operations. In the Arctic, drilling
quickly xlviii. Icebreakers are in short supply, as seen
through permafrost in the rock can be challenging
by the difficulties experienced by the US Coast Guard
as the heat of the circulating drilling fluids (known as
in finding a suitable vessel to deliver an emergency
mud) can cause the permafrost to melt, removing the
shipment of fuel to an isolated community in Alaska
competency of the formations upon which the well
in December 2011 98. There is also a shortage of
foundations (casing and cements) rely, destabilising
Arctic-class mobile rigs capable of drilling relief wells
the well, and potentially leading to a blowout. During
in the event of a spill. The US administration’s recent
the producing phase the heat of the produced fluids
approval of Shell’s plan to drill in US Arctic waters only
can have a similar effect.
went ahead following the submission of an emergency plan that included a fleet of 6 oil-spill response vessels,
The difficulties involved in drilling in the Arctic may xlviii
mean that summer drilling campaigns inadvertently
BBC News (October 2011) Arctic oil exploration: Potential riches and problems http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14728856