Sea ice and iceberg conditions on the grand banks affecting hydrocarbon production and transportation

Possible hydrocarbon production on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, associated with the Hibernia discovery, has intensified interest in sea ice and iceberg conditions in this region. It is the seasonal presence of sea ice and icebergs which distinguishes the Grand Banks from other harsh environment hydrocarbon production regions. In this paper, the seasonal patterns of sea ice and icebergs around eastern Newfoundland and on the Grand Banks are described. Sea ice is discussed in terms, of areal, age, floe size and thickness distributions, and of deformation processes. Icebergs are described in the context of seasonal distributions, size and deterioration. Features of the sea ice and iceberg regimes which affect hydrocarbon production and transportation are identified. The application of ice forecasting, ice detection and ice management techniques to hydrocarbon related operations on the Grand Banks is then outlined.