Project Overview
Located along the Bering Sea, Point Thomson is a large gas reservoir estimated to hold 8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, amounting to about 25% of known gas resources on Alaska’s North Slope. PND was a key player in the multidisciplinary effort to transform the previously undeveloped area into an operational resource that will bolster the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System.
PND’s civil work fully equipped Point Thomson to support ongoing operations with a gravel airstrip and associated facilities, gravel roads, development pads, vehicle bridges, containment, a module-offload bulkhead with a resupply pier, and five well cellars with three installed conductors. Throughout the project, PND collaborated closely with stakeholders, regulatory agencies, and contractors to address permitting challenges, optimize material use, and ensure compliance with environmental standards. Our strategies were instrumental in maintaining the project’s schedule and addressing logistical challenges in Point Thomson’s remote Arctic conditions. Point Thomson has been operating since 2016, producing up to 10,000 barrels of natural gas condensate per day.
Our Role
- Civil Engineering: developed Point Thomson’s extensive transportation and infrastructure systems to support production of thousands of barrels of gas per day
- Arctic Engineering: employed 3D thermal analysis to predict the change in the subsurface thermal regime with respect to new structures, production wells, and gas flare events
- Geotechnical Engineering: performed 3D thermal analysis, geotechnical exploration oversight, and analysis of several geotechnical investigation reports, using the data to design several types of deep-foundation and well-conductor foundations
- Hydrology & Hydraulics Engineering: conducted metocean and hydrology research, including wind/wave analysis, numerical wave modeling, hydrological field data collection and analysis, and hydraulic analysis for several bridge crossings and culvert systems
- Waterfront Engineering: designed a heavy-duty module-offload facility using an OPEN CELL SHEET PILE™ (OCSP™) bulkhead; designed a 120-foot-long pile-supported platform service pier for service vessel use
- OPEN CELL SHEET PILE: designed an OCSP bulkhead to accommodate ultra-heavy modules delivered to the site via barge
A Multidisciplinary Endeavor to Develop Critical Resources
PND employed creative strategies to develop Point Thomson, adhering to strict environmental regulations and overcoming logistical challenges of remote Arctic conditions. PND conducted extensive metocean, thermal, seismic, and geotechnical investigations through multiple phases to ensure the infrastructure’s longevity and resilience. These efforts supported the design of critical transportation and operational systems, including roads, bridges, marine facilities, and well cellars.
PND’s responsibilities encompassed design development, bid document development, permitting, construction planning, project execution plans, bottom-up cost estimates, risk reviews, constructability reviews, and material takeoffs. Our multidisciplinary effort ensured that all project elements adhered to safety, environmental, and operational requirements, resulting in a comprehensive and durable infrastructure solution for Point Thomson despite the challenges its location poses.
Miles
of gravel roads
Feet
of GPS-rated gravel airstrip
Vehicle Bridges
ranging from 40 to 65 feet long
heavy-duty module-offload facility
