Study of ice gouging in the coastal part of the Sakhalin Island shelf. V.К. LEKSIN, V.A. ROMANYUK

Abstract

Study of ice gouging in the coastal part of the Sakhalin Island shelf. V.К. LEKSIN, V.A. ROMANYUK («RN-SakhalinNIPImorneft» Limited Liability Company, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk).

The presence of ice cover on the shelf of the Sea of Okhotsk contributes to the formation of dangerous ice formations, which in turn creates difficulties in the design, construction and maintenance of the offshore oil and gas facilities. Study of geological hazards in the coastal area of the northeastern shelf of the Sakhalin Island will make it possible to minimize risks and develop recommendations for ensuring safety in the development of oil and gas fields. The paper presents the results of the analysis of data from expeditionary studies carried out in July–September 2019 using the echo sounding method on the site of the northeastern shelf of the Sakhalin Island in the vicinity of the Odoptu-Sea gas and oil field. The obtained bathymetric data made it possible to reveal irregularities in the bottom relief of the study area, including gullies in the coastal zone, formed as a result of erosion of the seabed surface by bottom currents. In addition, zones of ice gouging were identified and the maximum depths of gouging of the seabed by stamukhas were determined.