Abstract: An ice barrier module for disposition around at least part of the periphery of an island in an ice bearing body of water wherein the module is a closed, hollow triangular shaped body whose hypotenuse side faces the ice and whose first and second sides opposite the hypotenuse side rest on a bottom support and abut the island, respectively, the hypotenuse side having an upper and lower section, the upper section being at a steeper angle of inclination than the lower section, the hypotenuse side having means for heating same. An island in an ice bearing body of water which has around at least part of its periphery a plurality of the aforesaid ice barrier modules.

Abstract: An offshore well drilling and/or production operation which is carried out on top of a layer of ice which extends over unfrozen water. A ring of thermal insulation is formed on top of the ice around the area of the drilling and/or production operation so that the ice thickness under the ring is thinner than the ice adjacent the ring thereby forming an annular depression in the underside of the ice. The depression will capture and hold any hydrocarbons or other fugitive materials that may escape under the ice in the area of the drilling and/or production operation.