Acquiring Seismic Data
Following Cairn being awarded the exploration licences for offshore areas (known as blocks), the Company implements a seismic programme to develop a better picture of the subsurface area. A seismic programme uses sound waves to help create a map of the rock formations beneath the earth's surface.
Cairn has been, and continues to, implement seismic programmes offshore Greenland since 2008, during which time there have been no injuries or environmental incidents. These surveys have been evaluated by Cairn's team of geologists to help them to pinpoint the exact locations for the exploration drilling offshore West Greenland during the summer of 2010.
Drilling Exploration Programme
Following approval from the Greenland Government for its four wells, Cairn is implementing a two-rig drilling programme during the summer of 2010, 150–200km offshore West Greenland. The drilling operations are being carried out by two state-of-the-art drilling vessels – the Stena Forth, a drillship, and the Stena Don, a semi-submersible drilling rig. The operations are supported by a range of vessels including: six ice management vessels, two emergency response and rescue vessels, two supply vessels, one support vessel and a wareship for accommodating crews if necessary. Also included is an extensive contingency plan, for the unlikely event of an oil spill.
The capabilities of these fifth- and sixth-generation vessels far exceed the drilling and water depth requirements of Cairn's 2010 offshore Greenland exploration programme. The dynamic positioning capability of the vessels means that they are more efficient and more manoeuvrable than previous generation rigs. This allows them to operate effectively in Greenlandic water depths which are one-fifth of the rigs' design capability. In addition, by not requiring anchoring, the impact of activities on the seabed is minimised.
The programme Cairn has put in place for its 2010 operations includes:
- contracting two state-of-the-art, 'dynamically positioned' fifth- or sixth-generation vessels to explore together, thereby allowing the quick drilling of a relief well, if necessary
- designing the drilling schedule so that only one rig will enter a hydrocarbon-bearing section at any given time
- a well design with primary and secondary barriers to minimise the possibility of an uncontrolled release of hydrocarbons, which has been reviewed by an independent external expert (the 'well examiner') in accordance with North Sea practice
- fully testing the blow-out prevention equipment, including a mechanical test by independent authorities, prior to operations commencing, and subsequently testing the equipment fortnightly
- the blow-out preventer being used has two shear rams; this can be remotely activated and should the blow-out preventer fail, each vessel can use a remotely operated vehicle to close the well
- hiring a team who have a combined experience of more than 1,000 years of working on successful oil exploration campaigns in challenging environments.
Managing our Impacts
Wherever possible, Cairn aims to avoid, mitigate or at the very least manage any impacts exploration, development and production activities have on the environment, biodiversity and local communities.
As each country presents unique biodiversity and environmental challenges, Cairn hires independent environmental experts to implement an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) prior to operations beginning in any area. Cairn uses the findings from these EIAs to manage its activities and minimise any potential impacts.