First year ice interactions on Molikpaq: Measurements and experiments

The Molikpaq is a steel mobile arctic structure which has been used for exploration of hydrocarbon reserves on the Canadian Beaufort shelf. In early 1986, the Molikpaq experienced numerous interactions with various ice features at Amanuligak I-65. An extensive ice loads investigation program was conducted as a joint industrial project. Ishikawajima-Harima Heary Industries (IHI) has proposed a method to estimate the global ice load on an arctic structure by utilizing results from ice tank experiments. Experiments were conducted in the IHI ice model tank using a model of the Molikpaq. A comparison between the measured ice loads and the estimated ice loads was made and it was found to be in fair agreement, in spite of some uncertainties involved in both the measured and the estimated ice loads. In this paper, instrumentation which the Molikpaq employed in the investigation program is briefly introduced. Failure modes of ice features observed in the program are also mentioned. The basic idea behind the dual parameters testing and estimating method (DuPTEM) is described. The model experiments and the results are then outlined. The comparison between the measured and estimated ice loads is shown. Finally, uncertainties in both the estimated and the measured ice loads are discussed.