The Challenges and Key Technologies of Drilling in the Cold Water Area of the Arctic

The cold water area of the Arctic is rich in oil and gas resources,which has been the focus of international oil petroleum companies presently.Understanding the challenges and key technologies of drilling in this area is of great importance for promoting the technological breakthroughs and making high efficient development of oil and gas resources.Through a large number of literature research and field investigation,Arctic cold water drilling equipment and key technologies as well as main research progress have been analyzed in domestic waters and abroad,and have arrived at the following conclusions:the primary challenges for oil and gas exploration and development in cold water area of the Arctic include harsh operating environment,long distance logistic support,stringent environmental requirements.The key equipment for drilling in the area includes bottom-supported platform,artificial island,ice resistant jack-up platforms and floating drilling rigs.Meanwhile,low-temperature drilling rigs,fully enclosed ice resistant platforms and new low temperature resistant materials are the key drilling equipment and materials urgently require a technical breakthrough urgently in the near future.The investigation results indicate that the main research directions for cold water area of the Arctic drilling should include permafrost drilling technology,low temperature drilling fluid and cementing technology,the extended reach drilling with displacement more than ten thousands of meters,the assessment and control of the disaster or risk,drilling waste emission,environmental protection,etc,which are the key technologies for the high efficiency development of oil and gas resources in cold water area of the Arctic.