Experience with alert and evacuation, Tarsiut Island, Summer 1982

Conference · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Offshore Technol. Conf.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5473048

Townsend, D L; Meyers, R M; Stewart, H R

The original concept for Tarsiut Island considered that drilling operations in the Beaufort Sea would be done under ice covered conditions. Extension of drilling to summer open water conditions necessitated two major changes. Upgrading construction would be required to reduce the potential for scour at the base of the concrete caissons, and to increase freeboard protection from waves and spray. The Island Alert and Evacuation Manual also had to be changed. Depending upon the position of the permanent ice pack, the fetch for waves can change drastically. Weather changes are sudden. The principle changes in the alert system had to recognize that local direct decisions as well as short term forecasts would be needed. Warning was needed which recognized the influence of high winds upon helicopter operations. During the summer of 1982, two successful total evacuations of the Island were necessary due to the forecasted and observed weather conditions. There was minimal damage and no personal injury. The paper indicates the role of the Island Design Engineer in the co-ordination of monitoring activities, the various alert levels which were established for summer conditions, and summarizes the procedures carried out for the two successful operations.

• Research Organization: Gulf Canada Resources, Inc.
• OSTI ID: 5473048
• Report Number(s): CONF-830514-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Offshore Technol. Conf.; (United States) Journal Volume: 2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420206* -- Engineering-- Mining & Drilling Equipment & Facilities-- (1980-1989)
423000 -- Engineering-- Marine Engineering-- (1980-)
ARCTIC OCEAN
BEAUFORT SEA
CANADA
CONSTRUCTION
DRILLING
EMERGENCY PLANS
EVACUATION
HAZARDS
METEOROLOGY
MONITORING
NORTH AMERICA
OFFSHORE DRILLING
OFFSHORE OPERATIONS
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
PERSONNEL
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS