Managing the Ice Situation When Ensuring the Safety of Oil Platforms in the Arctic Zone of Russia

The work presents an ice situation managing algorithm that contributes to improving the safety of oil platforms operating in the Russian Federation Arctic Zone. The algorithm is based on such elements as monitoring dangerous objects; determining their aero- and hydrodynamic characteristics; the choice of an optimal tug out of accessible ships; modeling the towing process on the basis of developed mathematical models; and comparing the results of modeling and the results of actual towing. Based on the results obtained through modeling the towing process, the authors suggest an optimal towing system that allows better efficiency and results during operations to ensure ice safety for drilling platforms and other facilities. The developed models helped in digital modeling of stationary and non-stationary typical iceberg towing with different towing force. The authors developed a simplified method to determine water aerodynamic and hydrodynamic resistance during straight-line iceberg towing in calm waters and during changes in movement direction. The obtained results can be used to prevent collisions between icebergs and any types of Arctic offshore drilling platforms and are critically important for minimizing the risks of technogenic catastrophes. Ice situation management will allow seasonal geological exploration to be increased by over two months. Research results can contribute to reducing the cost of new generation supply ships and icebreakers that are being designed and built within the framework of Russia’s shipbuilding development program and will remove dependence on imported components in towing equipment.