Project Experience: Arctic Pipelines

From its inception, INTEC has been highly involved with oil and gas transportation systems for Arctic offshore regions. INTEC has worked on Alaskan, Canadian and Russian Arctic projects through studies for individual clients, Joint Industry Projects and as part of a Construction Alliance.

A prime example of this dedication to Arctic development involves the Northstar Field, offshore the Beaufort Sea Coast, near Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. INTEC first studied subsea pipeline systems to this site in 1985 for Amerada Hess. When BP Exploration (Alaska) ultimately rebuilt the artificial gravel island and installed the pipelines in 2000, INTEC supported this development project from the conceptual engineering phase, through the extensive permitting process, field construction and production start-up.

INTEC performed the FEED for the Sakhalin I Development offshore Eastern Russia. This work for Exxon Neftegas includes preliminary design, field survey and preparing tender packages for the subsea pipelines in water depths up to 40 m.

INTEC performed work on the 52-inch diameter offshore pipeline route alternative from Prudhoe Bay Alaska to the American Midwest natural gas market area. The offshore section of this route extends up to 300 miles through both the Alaskan and Canadian Beaufort Sea. This work includes preliminary design, cost and schedule estimates and permit application preparation for the Alaskan Gas Producers Pipeline Team.

Additional Arctic project experience includes:

• Chukchi Sea Transportation Feasibility and Cost Comparison Study - Join Industry Project evaluating both pipeline and ice breaking tanker transportation systems.
• Assessment of Installation and Trenching Scenarios for Amauligak - Pipeline construction evaluation for Gulf Canada's 48 km long pipeline to 31 m water depth in the Canadian Beaufort Sea.
• Timan-Pechora Pipeline Feasibility Study - Conceptual design and costs for Conoco of a subsea oil pipeline to an offshore oil export terminal in the Pechora Sea, Russia.
• Liberty Subsea Pipelines - Preliminary design and permit support for oil and gas pipelines to a gravel island in 22 ft water depth offshore the Alaskan Beaufort Sea Coast.