Risks during hydrocarbon exploration and production in cold offshore regions

Hydrocarbon production in cold offshore regions is taking place in Norwegian waters in the southern Barents Sea (the Snøhvit development) and further projects are being planned in the area (e.g. the Goliat oil field development). Licences are granted furt her to the north and exploration drilling has been taken place over a large area of the Barents Sea for many years. It could be expected that the oil industry will continue their efforts to explore even further to the north. It should be noted that the t rend world wide is an increased interests in hydrocarbon exploration in cold waters. In Alaska, for example, it is expected that drilling will take place offshore to a large extent in future years and the authorities there are looking for the Norwegian ex perience. The expected achievements from the project are the following: > Increased knowledge leading to safer marine operations in cold climate waters, > Better insight in the consequences of rapid physical environmental changes. Improved EER strategy, > Increased preparedness/awareness in Norway for the coming hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation in the years to come in the Barents Sea in the Russian Eurasian Arctic, > Strengthened contact with Russian academic institutions and industry being resp onsible for training and safety, >Strengthen and continuation of a highly needed competence in Arctic Technology at NTNU. The research work will enhance the competence of Norwegian companies involved in Arctic engineering and operations. Furthermore, the candidates involved in the project will, after having finished their degrees, be in a position to join Norwegian or international companies and contribute to safe design of Arctic offshore oil and gas field development solutions.