RESULTS OF ENGINEERING AND GEOPHYSICAL STUDIES OF THE LEDOVOE GAS-CONDENSATE FIELD SITE IN THE BARENTS SEA

Abstract

The paper presents an analysis of the relief of the bottom of the Ledovoe gas-condensate field site of the Barents Sea based on the obtained results of engineering surveys. One of the main survey methods for obtaining the bottom topography was multibeam echo sounding and sidescan sonar. The methodology of data acquisition and processing is described, and a comparative analysis of bathymetry and side–scan sonar model is presented. As a result of the analysis, the morphology of the bottom was described, and the main forms of relief were identified: ice gouge furrows of the U-shaped and V-shaped type, isometric depressions on the bottom, paleovalley. It was revealed that the gouge furrows have a predominantly northwestern orientation; their depth and morphology may indicate a “paleogeographical” origin. The general model of bottom sonar made it possible to identify both local, predominantly man-made objects on the bottom (trawl grooves) and objects of natural origin (clusters of boulders). The obtained data is the most important information when designing engineering structures in fields.