EXPLORATORY DRILLING OPERATIONS IN THE GULF OF ALASKA.

The first wildcat drilling in the Gulf of Alaska followed the April, 1976 Federal OCS (Outer Continental Shelf) lease sale and has been conducted by the Shell-ARCo group. Operations commenced in Fall 1976 from the specially designed SEDCO 706 semi-submersible drilling rig with Shell as operator. The rig has now been used over 10 months and has spent its first winter in harsh weather environment. This paper reviews Shell's experience with the SEDCO 706 in drilling two exploratory wells. Unique features of selecting and operating the rig are presented along with supply logistic details. Actual weather observations and forecasting are also discussed.