Protection Strategies for Subsea Wellheads in Iceberg Environments

The design of subsea infrastructure on the Grand Banks and, potentially, Labrador Sea must address the potential interaction with freely floating and gouging icebergs. Current practice is to protect the subsea infrastructure, such as conductors, wellheads and production trees, within massive excavations known as glory holes. For marginal fields or satellite wells, considerations of capital cost, construction cost and risk for developing the reservoir and protecting the assets may not be sufficient for project sanction. Consequently, the development and examination of alternative protection schemes or risk mitigation strategies that satisfy risk, safety and economic targets are required.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Shawn Kenny

Student:

Kenton Pike

Partner:

C-CORE

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Aerospace and defense

University:

Memorial University of Newfoundland