Justification of selection and installation method of an offshore oil and gas field structure for the shelf of the Okhotsk sea

Abstract

This thesis is dedicated to the Ayashsky license block that is located near the northeastern part of the Sakhalin Island. A concept of the development of this offshore block of fields will be discussed in this work. Special attention will be given to a selection of installation method of oil and gas field structure since the installation of various facilities or equipment at an offshore field in Arctic conditions is a real problem due to the harsh weather conditions. The thesis aims to find a solution for the development of this offshore field that will be compatible with weather conditions in this region. Besides, to determine the most appropriate way of placing a chosen structure in the field. Both objectives are planned to be achieved with the help of detailed environmental analysis. Successful fulfilment of an installation process requires detailed information regarding the specific Arctic waters. The study is based on the data of the Okhotsk Sea located near Sakhalin Island (the Russian Far East). This region does not belong to the traditional Arctic region (the northernmost part of Earth). Nevertheless, the sea conditions are prescribed as the Arctic ones. Environmental analysis is a very sophisticated process that encloses evaluation dozens of factors that can influence an obtained result. In this thesis, the environmental analysis includes assessment of seasonal weather and ice conditions, water depth, seasonal temperature, current and waves assessment. Besides, an analysis of existing technologies for the development of offshore projects is required. Such analysis will help to choose the most appropriate option for the Ayashsky license block based on the environmental assessment.