Eni Petroleum plans to finish constructing two production pads at Nikaitchuq and start drilling from one before the end of 2008, according to a revised plan of operations from November 2007, sent to the state in January 2008 and made available to Petroleum News on Feb. 15, 2008.
The revised plan makes changes to the one put forth by the previous Nikaitchuq operator Kerr-McGee Oil and Gas Corp. in 2005.
Construction will include a seven-acre support pad south of Oliktok Point, an onshore production pad at Oliktok Point and a 14.7-acre offshore gravel island in the shallow waters of the Beaufort Sea south of Spy Island.
During the 2008-09 winter construction season, Eni plans to construct and place an offshore flowline bundle and onshore gathering line for Nikaitchuq.
In 2009, the company plans to complete installation of the Oliktok Point processing facility, the first new North Slope facility not owned by ConocoPhillips or BP.
As previously reported, Eni believes it will start producing oil at Nikaitchuq by the end of 2009. Production from offshore facilities is scheduled for the end of 2010.
Editor’s note: See full story in Feb. 24 issue of Petroleum News, available to subscribers online at www.PetroleumNews.com at noon Friday, Feb. 22.
