Gazprom Nedra LLC patented a method to safely transport large icebergs

Gazprom Nedra LLC received a patent for invention of an ice objects transportation method that ensures safe operation of fixed and floating production complexes in Arctic seas.

Authors of the invention proposed an engineering solution which increases the reliability of large iceberg transportation and prevents the possibility of its lean on floating drilling rig in water areas of higher iceberg risk.
According to the patent for the invention, two transport tug vessels are positioned “stern to stern” opposite iceberg drift direction and connected to each other at a safe distance with the use of high-strength steel towing cables via a joining shackle. Indicating buoys of different colours identifying joining shackle immersion depth are fixed to the shackle in line height-wise on a single halyard. After, iceberg embracing vessels tug it over a single course in parallel to each other at a safe distance, at that iceberg movement parameters are tracked.

Vessels tug an iceberg over a single course in parallel to each other at a safe distance

This iceberg transportation method provides for the use of vessels with standard towing equipment which significantly reduces expenses for lease of special equipment for towing large ice objects.
Vsevolod Cherepanov, Gazprom Nedra LLC General Director, noted that “as opposed to the currently used ice objects transportation methods, the new one allows for transporting icebergs weighing over 1 mln. tonnes. The invention of our company employees will significantly increase safety of floating rigs operation in the Arctic Region”.