Aviation Requirements for Alaskan Offshore Oil Exploration & Production
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Shell Aircraft International (SAI) on behalf of Shell Exploration and Production Western hemisphere (EPW). |
The Project |
A feasibility study to determine the long term fixed wing and rotary wing support to 2020 in the on and offshore areas of the multi-billion dollar Shell operations in the Alaska region. The study encompassed aviation requirements to support the survey, drilling, construction and operational phases of Shell EPW's operations in the Arctic. Air support roles included drill rig crew rotation, search & rescue, oil spill recovery, air survey and environmental / indigenous mammal monitoring. |
The Challenge |
The client wanted to address all the aviation requirements for Shell EPW operations in Alaska and consider the solutions available now and in the future. This involved consultation with Shell oil industry experts in Houston and Alaska within a very challenging time scale of only 4 months. Metocean data and the experience of operators in the region had to be gathered to allow key constraints to be considered. |
The Solution |
The Study concluded that the use of aviation for efficient and flexible mass transport of rig workers, plus the additional safety-related and environmental tasks was viable. A total of 46 recommendations were put forward, including specific ones dealing with the temperature envelope for aircraft operating in Alaska, new technology nav aids to aid situational awareness, airfield ILS, systems anti-ice, de-ice and Rotor Ice Protection Systems, Arctic experience levels, company ethos towards HF, air operators' surge flying procedures, the optimum contract strategy and its suggested implementation. |
| Baines Simmons Contribution to Success
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Project Outcome |
Shell were extremely pleased with the findings and recommendations and concluded that this had been a highly satisfactory project. The study will be built upon over the coming months and years. Baines Simmons has been asked to be available for further Shell projects. |
| Client Comment | "I am extremely pleased with the pace of the study" - Shell Houston. "Your professionalism, as well as enthusiasm for the project, has been greatly appreciated" - Shell Houston. "Based upon my perception of your inputs during our discussions I've no doubt the report is top shelf" - Bristow Inc., Canada. "It looks good. Thanks!" - Shell Anchorage. "I can't believe that you assimilated so much information in such a short time" - Cougar Helicopters, Newfoundland. |
