NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Tags: physical sciences, infrastructure planning, engineering, transportation, topography, geography

Objective(s): The objective of this research program is to collect topographical information relating to the potential for: (a) a winter access road for the transport of large modules from the east channel of the Mackenzie River, from the vicinity of the mouth of Pete's Creek and the Lucas Point area, to the proposed Parsons Lake north pad site; (b) a barge anchorage location on the east channel of the Mackenzie River suitable for connection to a potential winter road route and enabling the "freeze-in" of the large modules on shallow draft, river barges; (c) an alternative winter access road routes from the east channel of the Mackenzie River between the area just north of Inuvik to an area west of the Ikhil well site, skirting the Storm Hills topography.

Project Description: The objective of this research program is to collect topographical information relating to the potential for: (a) a winter access road for the transport of large modules from the east channel of the Mackenzie River, from the vicinity of the mouth of Pete's Creek and the Lucas Point area, to the proposed Parsons Lake north pad site; (b) a barge anchorage location on the east channel of the Mackenzie River suitable for connection to a potential winter road route and enabling the “freeze-in” of the large modules on shallow draft, river barges; (c) an alternative winter access road routes from the east channel of the Mackenzie River between the area just north of Inuvik to an area west of the Ikhil well site, skirting the Storm Hills topography. Most of the program will be conducted from the air; however, the helicopter will land from time to time to examine topographical features more closely at places where the research crew deems it appropriate because the terrain is considered to be of possible concern. The research team will use GIS data from ConocoPhillips’ 2006 aerial LIDAR survey as guidance, will make notes on topography (using maps generated from the LIDAR program), take photographs, and attempt to identify solutions and alternatives where conditions or topographical features indicate potential transport problems. Certain topographical features will be examined by a qualified surveyor, in accordance with applicable regulations. The surveyor will document all field reconnaissance data and submit a report to ConocoPhillips including subject photos/ video, notes, GPS coordinates of interest, and updated route maps, etc. A field base camp will not be established for this program. Personnel will be housed in commercial facilities in Inuvik and will use helicopter services out of the airport at Inuvik. The program will be conducted over a total of three to four (3 to 4) days between August 15 and September 15, 2007. All work personnel will work from Inuvik and helicopter flights will be staged from Inuvik. The crew will work up to 12 hour days, depending on weather conditions and return by helicopter to Inuvik at the end of each day. All information gathered regarding terrain features in the form of reports and photographs will be made available, if requested. Fieldwork will be conducted from August 15 to September 15, 2007 near Inuvik and the general area of the proposed Parsons Lake development north pad location. The research area is entirely onshore, within an irregular area from 68°59’13.97” and 69o15’30.1”N latitude on the east (between 133o28’3.2” and 134o8’12.5”W longitude) and from 68o2’55” and 69o2’8” north latitude (between 133°45’53.5” and 134o35’58” W longitude), Projection UTM Datum NAD 83, Zone 8.