Deep Creek, Anchor Point seismic proposed

By Petroleum News • Alaska

Western Geco has begun permitting for two shot-hole seismic exploration programs this winter, one at Deep Creek and the other at Anchor Point.

The Deep Creek 2-D and 3-D program includes a survey line of 145 source points and a grid of 2,880 source points, both near Ninilchik.

Surveyors would use backpack GPS units, helicopters and or snowmobiles to mark the receiver and source points with lath and flag pins. Each point would be bored to a 20 foot depth with a helicopter portable or tracked low-impact seismic drill unit. Five-pound charges would be loaded into the bottom of each hole. The holes would be backfilled. Cables and geophones laid along the seismic lines would record data generated by the charges.

The proposed Deep Creek survey line is in sections 7, 12, 13, 24, 25 and 26 of townships 1 south range 14 west, Seward Meridian. The proposed Deep Creek survey grid is in townships 1-3 south and ranges 12-14 west, Seward Meridian, approximately bisected by the eastern part of the Ninilchik Road near Ninilchik. The project is on state, federal and private lands.

The proposed Anchor Point seismic program would include 145 source points in sections 3, 10, 15, 22, 26 and 35 of townships 4-5 south, range 15 west, Seward Meridian, in the community of Anchor Point. As with the Deep Creek program, five-pound charges will be loaded into the bottom of each hole. Holes will be backfilled and tamped with the cuttings and cables and geophones laid along the seismic lines would record data generated by the charges.

No vehicles will cross any open water body, although support vehicles may drive across grounded ice. The proposed project would occur on state, federal and private lands.