Polog

Late 2007 POLOG was approached by The Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS). GEUS takes care of research and advisory for the Danish Ministry of Climate and Energy. GEUS’ area of responsibility is geo scientific studies, research, consultancy and geological mapping. GEUS was planning to do a survey of the oil and gas deposits (hydrocarbons) on the East coast of Greenland.
The project will run from 2008-2011 and is financed by GEUS and a number of international oil companies that plan to exploit possible hydrocarbon deposits.

Type:
General support

Contract:
3-year contract on logistics and advisory

Period:
2008-2011

Location:
East Greenland

Facts:
• Camp for 10 persons
• Consulting and planning plus operational management
• POLOG manpower during planning and establishment approx. 2-4
• Air and ship transport

GEUS is a highly respected public body and has extensive experience in arctic exploration. GEUS chose POLOG for logistics partner due to the logistical challenges and complexity of the survey. GEUS had learned of POLOG’s high standard, reliability and ability to deliver and wanted to use POLOG’s expertise for this project.

2 months window of opportunity
The field work started up in the summer of 2008 and is still not finalised. The field work is limited by the two months operation window that characterizes the east coast. The weather conditions only allow drilling in July and August.

This means that planning and timing has to be extremely careful. A day wasted can postpone a project for 10 months – if you do not secure all necessary samples etc. inside the operation window you will have to wait 10 months for the next chance.

The drillings started in the south and then moved north along the coast line. 20 geologists and 10 analysts were involved in the collection of samples and the logistical challenge was to move people and equipment around in this area without an infrastructure. POLOG served as logistical advisor to GEUS planning this whole operation in minute detail. 

The Project
For the project POLOG used its permanent service platform Constable Point as a main base. 200 km from here POLOG established a temporary camp. Supplies and equipment was shipped and flown from Denmark to Constable Point. From here helicopters brought it to the temporary camp and drilling sites.

The temporary camp was used as hub for the multiple geological expeditions that was executed simultaneously.  From the camp 10 teams of 2-3 persons was transported by helicopter to different locations. Each team stayed at the same location exploring the geological conditions and collecting samples. Then they were flown north to collect new samples.

The Big Rig Bustle
The operation also included a rig to collect deep samples. GEUS had planned to take care of the transport of the rig themselves but the plane they had chartered on Iceland simply couldn’t fit the rig.

Time was running and the operation window was closing fast. This could be a very costly challenge. GEUS contacted POLOG to take advantage of our experience. POLOG quickly evaluated the situation and realised that the fastest way to transport the rig was by sea. In 4 hours POLOG managed to charter a cutter that sailed the rig to Constable Point in 12 hours resulting in a minimal delay of the project plans. 

Project continues...
In 2010 GEUS will expand their exploration to the coastline of Greenland with an initial investigation of what is probably a world class deposit of oil and natural gas off and on shore of North East Greenland. GEUS will start exploring the geological structure of the coast of Greenland that will reveal the shape and size of the underwater deposits. POLOG has been involved in the planning of this exciting venture and has found a solution that is both flexible and cost effective. POLOG has chartered a vessel that will accommodate app. 35 scientists, has full lab facilities and a helicopter platform. Thereby uniting necessary equipment and comfortable facilities and making it a suitable platform for the activities.

Read more about the Continental Shelf project at the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation.