Narwhal Small2 TM

CONCEPT SYSTEMS

Narwhal™

With approximately 25% of the planet’s remaining undiscovered oil reserves thought to be located in the Arctic, oil companies

and governments continue to search for more efficient ways to manage ice operations. There is a need to reduce human,

ecological, environmental and safety risks, as well as extend the operating season in this extremely harsh and fragile

environment. ION’s Concept Systems group has identified the need for a new approach to ice operations management and

has developed Narwhal, a system which addresses complex environmental challenges associated with drilling operations.

The Narwhal system allows offshore installation managers, drilling supervisors, and support vessel crews to visualize assets

and ice conditions, predict ice movement, and oversee ice management and defense operations. As a result, operators are

able to maximize their operating window, mitigate risks, increase the safety of their crews, and minimize potential impacts to

the environment. Narwhal draws on ION‘s 30 year track record of providing navigation and command and control systems,

combined with 8 years of continuous Arctic operational experience.

FEATURES

→ Integrated visualization and analysis → Ice trafficability

→ Platform, support fleet and onshore communications → Automated auditing and reporting

→ Planning and forecasting → Data and systems integration

→ Ice alert system → Metocean integration and reporting

INTEGRATED VISUALIZATION AND ANALYSIS

Narwhal provides a comprehensive view of the ice environment by

integrating satellite and radar imagery, vector ice charts, meteoro-

logical and oceanographic conditions, and manual observations such

as wind, speed and sea conditions. By combining this information

with tools to analyze, track and forecast ice conditions, offshore

installation managers and analysts may better assess potential in-

theater impacts and conduct pro-active ice reconnaissance missions

to defend assets and mitigate HSE risks.

PLATFORM, SUPPORT FLEET AND ONSHORE COMMUNICATIONS

Because of the risks associated with operating in or near ice, a support fleet, which includes icebreakers, is generally required.

It is critical that these vessels coordinate and stay in constant communications with offshore installation managers and

drilling supervisors. The robust data management system utilized by Narwhal can take advantage of any communications

link and allows fully automatic data sharing between the platform, support vessels and onshore operations. By having access

to the same real-time information during operations, these operators may collaborate more effectively to make critical

real-time decisions and/or execute the operational protocols in the ice management plan.

Integrated Ice Management for Drilling Operations

iongeo.comCONCEPT SYSTEMS

PLANNING AND FORECASTING

The Calendar capability in Narwhal allows operators to build a timeline of images and events using both historical and

current information, enabling powerful prediction and forecasting of conditions. The calendar tool may also be utilized

during planning to determine the timing of mobilization and demobilization of marine and drilling operations at the drill site

(based on historical melting of the ice and ice encroachment).

ICE ALERT SYSTEM

Narwhal allows ice analysts to assign a defensive

“perimeter” around assets such as a drilling rig.

The system will then monitor ice threats and auto-

matically raise alarms and recommend pre-planned

ice defense measures when the assigned parame-

ters are breached. This same functionality may be

used to support critical demobilization decisions

by monitoring ice encroachment prior to seasonal

sea ice freeze-up.

ICE TRAFFICABILITY

Ice trafficability defines the ability of a vessel to

navigate safely through ice regimes. Narwhal pro-

vides an automated visual assessement as whether

or not a vessel may safely pass through a particular route based on the route’s sea ice conditions and a vessel’s ice classification.

This capability is particularly useful during route planning and for escape contingency routes.

AUTOMATED AUDITING AND REPORTING

Information is constantly being recorded and can be replayed or output as an audit trail during drilling operations to review

operational incidents or to analyze scenarios for future improvements. Reports can be customized to the requirements of

regulatory authorities in order to conform to reporting obligations and to confirm operational movements.

DATA AND SYSTEMS INTEGRATION

Narwhal is built on a robust data management system that integrates different data types

and formats to allow the formation of a complete picture of the ice and weather conditions

during Arctic drilling operations. In addition, integration with the leader in navigational

command and control systems, ORCA®, ensures seamless ice defense operations. Data

inputs are automatically time-stamped, geo-referenced and assimilated in context with

other relevant information and shared so that safe, efficient and timely operational

decisions can be made.

Ice Alert system monitors ice threats and raises alarms

Visualization and analysis – Integration of satellite imagery, ice charts and more

06/12/14