Arctic Technology

Exploring New Technology

Our plan for Parsons Lake development seeks to minimize any potential impacts. We are continually appraising and investigating new technologies to help us further reduce the environmental footprint of our future operations. Some of the technologies we’re exploring include:

• Alternative construction technologies and techniques to reduce the weight of equipment on the tundra and allow for safe and environmentally responsible access to the site for a longer period during the winter season.
• New communication technologies that improve our ability to remotely monitor sites.
• More advanced technology to better insulate facilities, reduce heat loss and therefore protect the integrity of the permafrost.
• Wireless control technology to reduce facility and equipment installation time.

Leveraging Global Arctic Experience

ConocoPhillips has many years of Arctic experience for us to draw from in our pursuit of excellence in sustainable development. We actively exchange information on challenges, opportunities and best practices with experts in ConocoPhillips’ Alaskan, Norwegian and Russian operating regions through an Arctic Technology Network and on an informal basis. For example:

• ConocoPhillips’ experience with sensitive species like grizzly bear and barren-ground caribou in Alaska has helped shape our draft wildlife protection plans for the Parsons Lake Project.
• ConocoPhillips is currently experimenting with driven piles in Alaska, instead of the traditional drilled/sand slurry placement technique. We will use these results when doing an assessment on the feasibility of alternative pile technology for Parsons Lake and the Mackenzie Gas Project. This may reduce the time, expense and materials needed for pile installation.
• In Russia’s western Siberia, ConocoPhillips has installed and operates remote wellsite facilities mounted on piles without gravel pads and is studying the effectiveness of this technique. This technology could reduce the footprint and impact of future remote satellite well installations in Canada.