StatoilHydro has developed a new oil tanker concept for use in Arctic waters.
The transport of oil and gas from Arctic regions represents a great challenge due to the remote location and extremely harsh environment.
Air temperatures can reach minus 50 grader celsius or lower for long periods of time.
Oil transport in these parts is currently based on relatively small ships, frequently escorted by icebreakers.
An Arctic tanker, in Russia for instance, can typically carry 80,000 -120,000 barrels of oil (bbl).
StatoilHydro’s Arctic tanker will be capable of carrying 500 - 600,000 bbl.
It has also been designed to handle ice up to two metres thick, which means that it will be able to operate without icebreakers in these waters.
In even harsher conditions, for instance where heavy ice ridges occur, a state-of-the-art, diesel-electric icebreaker will assist tankers.
Such convoy operations will be continuously monitored by technology developed to ensure safe shuttle tanker operations in the North Sea .
The company's idea was developed and tested in cooperation with the Finnish ship design company ILS and the University of Helsinki.
Petroleum activities in Arctic waters are expected to increase significantly in the years to come.
Both exploration and field developments are likely to take place off Norway, Russia, Alaska/Canada and, in a longer perspective, possibly Greenland.
The solution is currently at the concept stage.
