The arctic poses a new frontier for the offshore industry and for the use of drag embedment anchors (DEA). Challenges for DEA are the environment, specifically the low temperature and the encountered seabed conditions. DEA can be used successfully in this environment. The low temperature requires careful selection of the materials used in the fabrication - for example impact testing at lower temperatures - but the materials are available for DEA fabrication. Typical seabed conditions in the arctic areas are hard clays and dense sands, formed by ancient glacial activity. For these types of soils a suitable DEA has to be selected that is capable of embedment in these soils. Experience from other areas of the world with hard soils can be used in selection of the DEA for these conditions. This paper will detail the DEA selection both with regards to the materials used in the fabrication and the type of DEA most suitable for the seabed conditions.

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