The Planning and Drilling of Hot Ice #1-Gas Hydrate Exploration Well in the Alaskan Arctic

Abstract

Abstract Anadarko Petroleum entered into a cooperative effort in 2002 with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Maurer Technology Inc., a subsidiary of Noble Drilling, to explore for and production test a Gas Hydrate zone. The purpose of the project was to build on previous and ongoing R&D in the area of onshore hydrate deposits to identify, quantify and predict the production potential for hydrates. The plans included the continuous coring and then production testing of a Gas Hydrate well on the North Slope. The project scope was modified to include the field trial of an onshore Mobile Platform that Anadarko had designed (patent applied for), presented by Kadaster and Millheim¹ at the 2004 annual IADC/SPE meeting in Dallas, Texas. With this scope modification, the project also became a prototype project for a cost effective and environmentally safer exploration system in the remote reaches of the Arctic and other environmentally sensitive areas, such as the US Rockies or the shallow water estuaries around the world. While the geological and geophysical analysis were being conducted; the drilling / coring systems and the drilling rig were selected; the modular platform systems commissioned; the drilling and platform sub-systems tested in simulated and actual arctic conditions, and the potential wellsites permitted. Field operations commenced in January 2003, suspended in April 2003, resumed in January 2004 and completed in March 2004. The entire Hydrates Stability Zone was cored and analyzed. Although no hydrates were encountered, valuable information and field expertise regarding the hydrate exploration methods, the modular Arctic Platform and the prototype remote exploration systems were gained.