NASA Scientist: Arctic Drillers Can Learn from Space Program

While Olson and Green talked about their support for the oil and gas industry, and that “more American energy” was necessary and only an “all of the above approach” – including drilling in the Arctic – would provide the energy necessary to support growing demand, the speakers turned quickly to the challenges posed by working in the harsh climate of the Arctic.

Statoil’s Jason Nye, senior vice president of U.S. Offshore, explained that the Arctic can be divided into three different operational areas, or categories:

  • Workable Arctic – there is little or no sea ice or icebergs. So, there are solutions that can be carried out with today’s technology; an example is drilling offshore of Newfoundland
  • Stretch Arctic – there is significant ice that inhibits operations or floating structures for much of the year. How exploration and development is likely to take place can be visualized, but the industry is some ways away from realizing key technologies and capabilities needed for commercial feasibility; an example is northwest Greenland
  • Extreme Arctic – areas where there is continuous or nearly continuous ice coverage. This is where solutions are hard to visualize and require a long-term focus in investment and technology; an example is Greenland

“Why is an industry like ours still willing to take on this large task,” Nye asked. “The answer is twofold. First, we believe the Arctic’s resources will be a critical source of energy for a growing world. Economic growth and rising standards of living will result in a more than 30-percent increase in global energy demand over the next thirty years. Also, we have been producing more energy than we have discovered each year since the early 1980s. We see great resource potential in the region.”

Challenges in Arctic

Climatic conditions represent the greatest challenge to those working in the Arctic, Nye and other speakers said. Exploration and production activities in the region require the proper rigs, equipment and clothes. Also, there are challenges imposed by having to work in darkness for half the year, and by the remoteness of working in a far-off region of the world.

Presenter Peter Lundgren, MD PHD at UMEA University in Sweden, is a medical advisor for the Swedish Armed Forces, and the Swedish Mountain Rescue Services. He noted that in the extreme climatic conditions of the Arctic, there are two keys to meeting the challenges:

  • Basic knowledge – this includes knowing how to main the proper heat balance when the extremities lose blood flow and heat, as well as how to prevent hypothermia
  • Need for more research – what to do in unexpected circumstances, such as when clothing becomes wet in extreme cold

Knowledge within the entire organization and further research are the two main keys to remaining healthy and being able to work in hostile environments in the Arctic, Lundgren said.

Mitch Bloom, vice president of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, discussed how countries could work together to develop the North and overcome the challenges of the area. The climate and resource protection are important in working in the Arctic, and the melting of the permafrost from climate change poses risks to infrastructure. Because of its comparatively small population, Canada, Boom said, has undertaking socio-economic development while building partnerships.


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