The American Bureau of Shipping is to class the first-of-its-kind Arctic Containment System (ACS), slated for deployment in June to serve all exploration activities in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas offshore Alaska.
The classification society said that the Superior Energy-operated non-self-propelled ice-strengthened barge will be converted to a floating offshore installation and will feature a modular oil containment system installed on its deck.
The dedicated barge will remain unmanned and on standby until deployed. Then, assisted by a tugboat, her crew will be expected to respond to an oil spill incident as required.
Shell has plans to drill up to six exploration wells in the area later this year and has contracted with Superior for the containment system to be available during the summer drilling season. It would be able to mitigate spillage in the time it takes to drill an intervention well.