BP to expand four Prudhoe Bay pads
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BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. wants to expand four existing drilling pads at the Prudhoe Bay unit to improve drilling rig access to existing wells at the onshore North Slope unit.
In four separate requests in mid-July, the company asked state oil and gas officials for permission to add 0.9 acres to E pad, 1.4 acres to F pad, 0.5 acres to K pad and 0.9 acres to R pad. All four pads are located along the central part of the northern edge of the unit.
The expansions are designed to allow larger drilling rigs to safely access existing wells at the four pads, according to BP, which suggests sidetracking or workover operations.
“Expansions using ice pads will be the preferred method to provide drilling rig access and utilized whenever possible,” the company explained in its application. “However, due to the specific requirements of the drilling rig schedule and the limited off road travel season, some well work will need to be completed when ice pads are not an option.”
The projects would involve adding 6,000 cubic yards of gravel at E pad, 11,000 cubic yards of gravel at F pad, 5,000 cubic yards of gravel at K pad and 6,500 cubic yard of gravel at R pad. The work would occur between August 2017 and March 2022.
The state Division of Oil and Gas is taking comments on the proposal through Sept. 1.
- ERIC LIDJI
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