--> Abstract: Narwhal Integrated Ice Management Provides New Insight, by Scott Cameron; #90177 (2013)

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Narwhal Integrated Ice Management Provides New Insight

Scott Cameron

Ice Management Systems have remained largely unchanged for many years, providing isolated insight and lacking integration. Recognising these limitations first hand during in-ice seismic operations, ION developed an integrated Ice Management System to better inform and direct complex Arctic operations. Narwhal provides ice visualisation, analysis, tracking and risk mitigation tools for marine Arctic operations such as seismic operations, drill rig defense and commercial shipping. To operate more effectively, data can be integrated to form a more accurate picture and then shared fleet-wide to improve decision-making. Traditional Ice Management Systems relied on marine ice hazard radar. Integrating increasing amounts of Arctic data, such as satellite imagery, ice charts and forecasts, metrological and sea conditions, air surveillance and first hand observations, improves insight into ice conditions. The various data inputs are managed and visualized in multi-layer GIS displays. Data layers include digitized ice hazard radar, satellite imagery, ice charts, forecasts, ice obstacles, and tracking devices. While the GIS display delivers the spatial picture, the Narwhal Calendar brings the data to life by adding a temporal aspect. ‘Time-sliding’ the calendar displays data relevant to the queried time, enabling powerful historical analysis and forecasting. Ice threats can be identified from manual observations, or imagery such as radar or satellite imagery. Threats are classified, logged and tracked over time to build prediction models for each ice threat. Alarm zones can be defined and continually monitored for ice threat breaches. Predictions, time to impact and time to react are considered as forecasted scenarios play out. If an alarm is triggered, analysts across the operational network can plan and execute the risk mitigation strategy by assigning tasks to ice breaker and support vessels. With all data inputs time-stamped and logged, Narwhal provides comprehensive data management, reporting and auditing facilities required. This paper will present case studies of the in-field use of Narwhal during the 2013 Arctic season.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90177©3P Arctic, Polar Petroleum Potential Conference & Exhibition, Stavanger, Norway, October 15-18, 2013