Prediction of ice loads of an Arctic SPAR

Abstract

Asubstantial amount of the world’s hydrocarbon deposits is assumed to be found in the Arctic. The Arctic region differs from other regions mainly due to the climate and presence of sea ice features. In order to minimize the ice loads from the drifting ice, structures with sloping waterline geometry have been introduced to the marked. The breaking angle in the waterline allows the ice to fail in a flexural mode, and to further transport the broken ice pieces around the hull.

A numerical model for estimation of the level ice loads acting on a sloping structure in the time-domain has been developed based on the existing methodology given in the new ISO 19906 standard on Arctic Offshore Structures. The numerical model has been corrected based on actually measured time series and videos recorded from an ice test campaign performed in the Aker Arctic Technologies ice model tank.