Abstract
The pristine Arctic region is vulnerable and the robustness of Arctic ecosystems is not fully known. Bearing in mind serious accidents in oil and gas production in other parts of the world, it is important to develop methods, equipment, procedures and human competences that will make oil and gas exploration, production and export at least as safe as current activity in the North Sea. This paper discusses how to extend access to subsea production equipment in regions with seasonial ice. Important factors such as long distances to shore-based infrastructure, harsh environmental conditions including ice, icing and polar lows, low quality of communication systems services and lack of workers with experience of working under Arctic conditions will have to be investigated and analysed as inputs to the development of safe operational procedures.