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The icebreakers designed for operation at the Novoportovskoe oilfield have successfully passed model ice trials
The design of the state-of-the-art multipurpose diesel-electric icebreaker Aker Arc130A intended for operation in the Gulf of Ob (YNAO) has successfully passed model ice trials in the ice basin. The vessel's concept design is being developed by Aker Arctic Technology by the order of Vyborg Shipyard JSC.
Results of the trials show that the icebreaker concept with three azimuth thrusters, two of which are located in the stern and one - in the bow proposed by the Designer allows the maximum efficient operation of the vessel in the severe ice conditions of the planned navigation area. By the results of the trials in the ice basin the prototype icebreaker model Aker Arc130A proved that the vessel will maintain maximum manoeuvrability at ice thickness up to 2 m complying with the ice class Icebreaker8.
During the model trials the prototype proved practical feasibility of running the vessel 22 MW in consolidated ice with thickness of three meters at the power plant and propulsion unit power increased by 30%, which allows for the future consideration of the possibility for using the modified Aker Arc130A design in the harshest areas of the Russian Arctic regions.
Deputy General Director of Gazprom Neft Vadim Yakovlev mentioned: “Gazprom Neft continues to develop the Russian Arctic infrastructure in all regions of its operation. Putting into operation in 2017 of two new icebreakers built in Russia by the order of our company will become an important step for maintenance of all-the-year-round transport availability of the most northern areas of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. We hope it will become an additional important factor for development of the region”.
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The icebreakers of the novel design Aker ARC130A will have length of 121,7 m, beam of the main deck including fenders- 26 m and draft of 8m. The vessels will have a diesel-electric power plant (azimuth thrusters - two of which are located in the stern and one - in the bow) with the propulsion power – 2x7500 kW (stern) and 1x6500 kW (bow). The built icebreakers will be operated under the Russian flag.
Gazprom Neft JSC operates in the largest oil-and-gas-bearing Russian regions: Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Tomsk Oblast, Omsk Oblast, Orenburg Oblast. The Gazprom Neft's structure includes over 70 oil-producing, oil-refining and distribution companies in Russia as well as in foreign countries.
Gazprom Neft Novy Port LLC - is a subsidiary company of Gazprom Neft JSC and the "Novy Port" Project operator.
Vyborg Shipyard - is one of the largest shipbuilding companies in the North-West of Russia. Since the time of its foundation (1948) the shipyard has built more than two hundred ships with the total displacement of over 1,550,000 tons. In May 2012 Vyborg Shipyard JSC became a member of the United Shipbuilding Corporation JSC (USC JSC).
United Shipbuilding Corporation is the largest Russian shipbuilding company. It was founded in 2007 by the RF President decree with 100% of shares in the federal ownership. The group includes about 60 industry companies and organizations (main shipbuilding and ship-repairing yards, leading design bureaus).
Aker Arctic Technology Inc (Aker Arctic) is an independent company that specializes in the development, design, engineering and testing services for the ice-going vessels, icebreakers and offshore marine structures and ports. Aker Arctic’s head office is located in Helsinki Finland.