This article continues a series of scientific publications on results of iceberg defense research carried out by Rosneft Oil Company in 2016-2017 in the seas of Russian Arctic. The work describes unique experience of iceberg towing in conditions of newly formed sea ice. For the first time ever, feasibility of such operations was confirmed on practice with measurement of all iceberg movement parameters. Towing was carried out by the Novorossiysk diesel icebreaker in ice with concentration of up to 8 of 10 points and thickness of up to 15 cm. In the area of the Franz Josef Land archipelago, an ultra-long 24-hour iceberg towing for more than 90 km was successfully carried out. The paper describes operating conditions of the experiments, determines the icebergs towing force on speed dependence, and also identifies the technological aspects of towing in ice. Based on experiments, optimal tactics for towing icebergs of different sizes under conditions of early ice formation with the means of icebreaking fleet are proposed. Obtained experimental data allow to solve the problem of iceberg towing in the beginning of ice formation, which is extremely important for extension of the drilling season. Results can be used for development of new and update of existing standards of ice management system, as well as for effective and safe development of the Arctic shelf.
References
1. Pashali A.A., Kornishin K.A., Tarasov P.A. et al., Iceberg towing as a technology for its drift change to ensure safe Arctic development (In Russ.), Neftyanoe khozyaystvo = Oil Industry, 2018, no. 11, pp. 36–40.
2. Pavlov V.A. Kornishin K.A., Tarasov P.A. et al., Experience in monitoring and sizing up of icebergs and ice features in the south-western part of Kara Sea during 2012-2017 (In Russ.), Neftyanoe khozyaystvo = Oil Industry, 2018, no. 12, pp. 82–87.
3. Eik K., Review of experiences within ice and iceberg management, Journal of Navigation, 2008, V. 61, pp. 557 – 572, DOI: 10.1017/S0373463308004839.
4. McClintock J., Bullock T., McKenna R. et al., Greenland iceberg management: implications for grand banks management systems, PERD/CHC Report, 2002.
5. Grand Banks Iceberg Management, PERD/CHC Report, 2007.