Using of Ice for Constructing Islands in the Arctic Conditions

Abstract

Artificial, grounded ice islands built by controlled flooding of the sea ice surface with sea water have been used for exploratory drilling in the Arctic offshore. Islands fabricated from ice are becoming more prevalent as offshore oil speculation in the Arctic gains more interest. Ice has been a strategic building material in the Arctic for the construction of roads, airstrips, housing, and, in the last few decades, as temporary drilling platforms to explore for oil. This article describes various methods of artificial ice building, the advantages and disadvantages of using man-made ice islands for exploratory drilling.