Polar Bears in View: Intelligent video surveillance from Bosch for an offshore drill site in Alaska

Oooguruk drill site (ODS), is an important location for Caelus Natural Resources Alaska, LLC. Over 30 million barrels of oil have already been produced from Oooguruk since 2008, but the drill site in Alaska’s North Slope region is also frequented by polar bears. An intelligent security system helps to spot them. The technology has to recognize the animals as early as possible and function reliably. This entails defying the extreme conditions north of the Arctic Circle in temperatures reaching as low as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit/minus 40 degrees Celsius and a two-month period of darkness every year. Caelus Natural Resources Alaska, LLC is therefore relying on an innovative security system from Bosch.
“Our ultimate goal is the protection of personnel and the polar bears, and we want to do that in the way that has the least impact on the polar bears,” explains John Hellén, Health, Safety and Environmental Manager at Caelus Natural Resources Alaska, LLC.
Extremely robust, extremely safe
Bosch solved the exceptional challenge using the MIC IP fusion 9000i camera. It combines robust design with Intelligent Video Analytics and was developed specifically for use in extreme conditions. Eleven of the cameras have already been installed on ODS; five others are at the planning stage. The Bosch-trained engineers performed the uncomplicated installation in the shortest possible time.
The intelligent camera is fitted with a solid metal casing and Bosch starlight technology. Even in the most difficult weather conditions and low light, the system produces high-quality images. “Within two weeks of installing the cameras, we recorded two events of polar bears on ODS. The images were crystal clear. We even have one camera installed 100 feet/30 meters from the ground, and the resolution is shockingly good,” explained Dale Hoffmann, former Land Manager for Caelus Natural Resources Alaska, LLC.
Intelligent Video analytics for greater safety
Another advantage of the MIC IP fusion 9000i is the built-in Intelligent Video Analytics. The integrated function processes and interprets data directly at the source. Polar bears can be detected early by the cameras thanks to their thermal imaging technology – even when the animals are swimming or are far off in the distance.
As soon as a hazard is recognized, the Bosch cameras´ tracking function is automatically triggered and personnel are notified. The necessary safety measures can therefore be put in place quickly and efficiently. Bosch’s innovative solution has increased safety for humans and animals on ODS ­– regardless of the time, light or weather conditions. Personnel can also be deployed more efficiently: “We no longer need to rely on someone watching the cameras to see the polar bears,” says John Hellén.
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