Sea transportation of Arctic oil for export

Abstract

The prospects for the development of transportation of crude oil from the Arctic shelf, incl. in the Eastern sector of the Russian Arctic are analyzed. Projects for the production and resources of hydrocarbons have been identified and mentioned ones will become the basis for the development of cargo transportation along the NSR in the medium and long term. The study of existing options for the transportation of hydrocarbons from the shelf of the Far East and the Russian Arctic showed the relevance of using schemes using shuttles and floating oil storage facilities. The expert approach identified the key groups of vessels necessary for the implementation of work on the shelf. The structure of fleet demand visualized in the article takes into account technologies for the development and maintenance of offshore hydrocarbon fields. As an example, the calculation of the required number of shuttles with transshipment through a floating oil storage facility or directly to the port of destination from an offshore ice-resistant fixed platform in key directions was made. The tanker Vasily Dinkov (Panamax type) and the tanker Gulf America (Aframax type) were used as prototypes. The key aspects that need to be taken into account when using the specified technological scheme of transportation are highlighted: ensuring year-round transportation; taking into account best practices and compatibility with existing schemes for the delivery of crude oil to the final ports of destination; optimal choice of transshipment points. It is also necessary to clarify the size groups of vessels on each of the routes and the size and type of floating oil storage facilities. Since the Arctic is a very sensitive area to the impact of the man-made environment, special attention is paid to environmental risks that increase with the intensification of navigation in the NSR water area.