Seismic work in ANWR this winter? Time will tell

[thackney]

Seismic work in ANWR this winter? Time will tell
https://www.ktoo.org/2018/11/23/seismic-work-in-anwr-this-winter-time-will-tell/

...SAExploration has applied to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management for permission to bring track-mounted vibrating trucks to the coastal plain, or 1002 Area, of the refuge to conduct a 3D seismic survey. The plan is to collect data for potential bidders before the government holds an oil lease sale next summer.

But the work can only be done in winter, and the company’s permit application is still pending.

“At this point, it is getting very tight, if their activities are going to begin in January,” said Assistant Interior Secretary Joe Balash.

Map of ANWR.
Map of ANWR in Alaska. (Map by Shiri Segal/Alaska Public Media)

SAExploration is in talks with the Fish and Wildlife Service about how to comply with the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Balash said....

[IsailedawayfromFR]

From article:  The tundra must be frozen with adequate snow cover, and crews have to avoid polar bear dens.

Seismic shot in winter to escape problems with unfrozen tundra.  Likely the same issue when drilling occurs.

And avoiding polar bear dens appears to be a prudent move as who wants to wake up a hungry sleeping bear?

[thackney]

From article:  The tundra must be frozen with adequate snow cover, and crews have to avoid polar bear dens.

Seismic shot in winter to escape problems with unfrozen tundra.  Likely the same issue when drilling occurs.

And avoiding polar bear dens appears to be a prudent move as who wants to wake up a hungry sleeping bear?

The issue is moving the rig.  That has to happen in the winter.  They build a gravel pad for the well pad and move the rig on it in the winter.  If it is for production instead of exploration, the rig will stay on that location for years drilling in all seasons.  They will drill on the gravel pad in any season, but it is "trapped" there until the tundra freezes.