CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : French, H.M.
Date : 1979
Title : Oil and gas exploration in the High Arctic Islands: problems and prospects
Publication : Marburger Geographische Schriften
Issue : 79:
Page(s) : 13-26
Abstract
By early 1978 exploration activity in the Canadian High Arctic islands had resulted in the discovery of 8 gas fields with estimated reserves of 13 trillion cubic feet, and one small oilfield, all located in the Western Sverdrup Basin between latitudes 76 and 79 north. In the last 4 years exploration has become focussed upon (a) the delineation of known onshore reserves and (b) the development of offshore ice platform drilling techniques to test further geologic structures which lie offshore. In addition to the climatic and geographic constraints of Arctic operations, environmental problems of land-based drilling relate to permafrost terrain disturbances adjacent to the well and the disposal of toxic waste drilling fluids. With offshore drilling, physical problems relate to the nature and movement of the polar pack ice, the capping of wells on the ocean floor, and the protection of the pipe from rupture by ice scour as it traverses theforeshore zone to reach the onshore treatment and storage facilities.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology