Ice break-up using artificially generated waves
AssigneeExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
InventorsTimothy J. Nedwed, Robert D. Kaminsky, Terrance D. Ralston
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for clearing an approaching floating ice mass comprising locating a hydrocarbon development platform in a marine environment, and determining a direction from which the ice mass is approaching the hydrocarbon development platform. The method also includes providing an intervention vessel having a water-agitating mechanism associated therewith for propagating artificially generated waves towards a leading edge of the approaching ice mass to fracture the ice mass along the leading edge, thereby causing small ice pieces to separate from the ice mass.
Claims11
A method for clearing an approaching floating ice mass, comprising:
- locating a hydrocarbon development platform in a marine environment, the marine environment comprising a large body of water and a water surface;
- determining a direction from which the ice mass is approaching the hydrocarbon development platform;
- providing an intervention vessel, the intervention vessel having a water-agitating mechanism associated therewith;
- positioning the intervention vessel generally between the hydrocarbon development platform and the approaching ice mass;
- actuating the water-agitating mechanism in order to propagate artificially generated waves towards a leading edge of the approaching ice mass;
- and
- continuing to operate the water-agitating mechanism so as to fracture the ice mass along the leading edge, causing small ice pieces to separate from the ice mass,
- wherein the marine environment is a bay, a sea or an ocean in the Arctic region of the earth,
- wherein the water-agitating mechanism is one or more gyroscopic systems attached to the intervention vessel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.