Swan Wooster Engineering Co
Published: 1978
Total Pages:
Get eBook
"The following report presents the findings of a feasibility study, authorized by Gulf Oil Canada Limited (GOCAN) in March of 1977, to investigate the possibility of constructing an artificial island for the production of hydro-carbons in 95ft. of water in the Beaufort Sea, NWT. In order to provide a practical base for the study, the 1976 exploration drill site at Tingmiark was chosen by GOCAN as a site with environmental and soil characteristics representative of possible future hydro-carbon production sites in the general area. The project team chosen to perform the study consists of Swan Wooster Engineering Co. Ltd. (Swanco) to provide the civil engineering, Golder Brawner and Associates Ltd. (Golder Associates) to provide the geotechnical engineering, and Northern Construction Company to provide the contracting expertise and cost estimates. The scope of work involved in the study was divided into three tasks or sub-sections. Task 1, the First Stage, consisted of an initial or conceptual design stage of three Concept Islands based on design concepts proposed by Gocan, assessment of the methods of analysis and review of sources of materials and equipment. Task 2, the Second Stage, consisted of performing the analysis of wave and current scour and soil resistance to ice attack on modified versions of the Concept Islands. Task 3, or the Third Stage of the study, consisted of the finalization of the Concept Islands, a more comprehensive assessment of normal ice regime and ice rubble participation, finalization of the equipment construction schedules and cost estimates for capital and maintenance costs. ... The findings of this feasibility study indicate that Concept Island 2B (revised) would be more suitable for location in the 95ft. water depth of the Beaufort Sea than Concept Island 1 .... A feasibility study of this nature involving building an artificial island in 95ft. of water, twice the water depth attempted to date, and in the shear ice zone 50 miles offshore and beyond the present experience with island construction in the land-fast ice zone, is bound to turn up many areas requiring further study. A number of these are listed in the final Section 15 as considerations for ongoing studies"--ASTIS database.