Offshore drilling services

Tender description

In 2021 the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) will undertake a drilling/coring expedition to the high Arctic, Expedition 377: Arctic Ocean Paleoceanography (ArcOP), using a drillship. Drilling will only be possible if there is a robust, integrated method to manage the ice conditions. This procurement is divided in to two lots: Lot 1: Offshore Scientific Drilling and Coring This lot is for a scientific drilling and coring capability to operate in the high Arctic during the annual minimum ice cover period. This requirement includes the provision of the ice breaker vessel which will serve as the drilling platform. Lot 2: Ice Management and Fleet Provision An integrated ice and fleet management package that will allow the drillship to stay on station. The ice and fleet management can be broken into three components that must co-ordinate and work closely together: 1) Ice and weather forecasting 2) Icebreaker fleet management 3) Icebreaker vessels (maximum of 3). This lot is for a scientific drilling and coring capability to operate in the high Arctic during the annual minimum ice cover period. This Lot includes the provision of the drilling platform. The minimum objectives are to continuously core two boreholes. The 1st borehole to 900 m below the seabed (WD 815 m) and the second borehole to 50 m below the seabed, (WD 875 m). This will require the drillship to continuously stay on station until the completion of each borehole. This scientific coring differs from oil and gas drilling in that the boreholes will not be drilling into or near hydrocarbon resources. This reduces any environment impact and improves the safety of the drilling operation compared to oil and gas drilling. The borehole sites and coring operation will be dictated by the ice conditions and priorities at the time of the expedition, with multiple operational plans that could be followed. The operational dates are linked to the minimum ice coverage, i.e. a period of up to 34 days on site between mid-August and end of September. In addition, there is passage to and from the work area. Please follow the URL contained within Section 1.3) Communication to access further information and read all instructions on how to submit your bid through the Delta eSourcing portal. This lot is for an integrated ice and fleet management to support a scientific drilling/coring expedition to the Arctic Ocean, under the auspices of the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP). The ice and fleet management can be broken into three components that must co-ordinate and work closely together. These three components are: 1) Ice and weather forecasting 2) Icebreaker fleet management 3) Icebreaker vessels (maximum of 3). The integrated ice and fleet management package must allow the drillship to stay on station and must cover all three components. The requirement covers provision of the following responsibilities: • provide an ice and fleet management service, 24 hour/day for the duration of the expedition; • ice management plan; • operating procedures; • HSE assessment and procedures; • understand the needs of a drilling campaign and the limitations of a drilling platform and drilling operation; • all equipment and software required; • all data required; • all Icebreaker capability (except ‘Oden’ if available); • all personnel required; • all ancillary services; • be an adviser to the Customer on all ice management related matters; • use the icebreakers, if required, to assist the drilling platform to transit to and from the work area; • attend project meetings and actively participate in the planning and execution of this expedition; • maintain excellent relationship with the drilling company when known. Please follow the URL contained within Section 1.3) Communication to access further information and read all instructions on how to submit your bid through the Delta eSourcing portal.