Arctic Materials - Materials technology for safe and cost-effective exploration and operation under arctic conditions

Oil and gas exploration and operation under arctic conditions poses several specific challenges. These are related to low temperatures, large temperature variations, and large deformations. The sensitive environment also puts strict requirements with rega rds to safety. Materials technology plays a vital role in ensuring that these challenges can be met, combing requirements for high safety and cost-effective solutions. The main goal for the Arctic Materials Project is to establish criteria and solutions f or materials application under arctic conditions. Important specific R&D tasks will be: 1) Improve the understanding of and establish models to assess low temperature fracture risk in carbon steels down to -60°C. 2) Establish criteria for materials to be used in structures that may be subject to large deformations. 3) Establish solutions for efficient joining technologies. 4) Develop and qualify solutions for polymer thermal and corrosion coatings for arctic conditions. 5) Develop solutions for light weig ht structures utilising high strength steel, composite materials, and hybrid solutions. The results from the project will be basis for input to standardisation bodies, and form requirements to be put on materials performance. The potential for increased v alue creation based on R&D on the Norwegian Continental Shelf is estimated to 2000 billion NOK, of which much is related to possible activities in northern areas. The Arctic Materials Project will be an important contribution in making the realisation of this potential possible. Norwegian industry partners participating in the project will also strengthen their position in relation to being preferred partners in projects covering the whole arctic region.