CRU Nanuq Nanuq PA reduced in size

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Oil and Gas approved the first revision of the Nanuq Nanuq participating area Dec. 16. Nanuq is in the Colville River unit on the west side of Alaska’s North Slope.

Nanuq Nanuq is one of two participating areas at the Nanuq satellite south of Alpine.

Areas on the west and north of the original participating area have been contracted out; a smaller area to the southeast has been added to the PA. The original PA, approved in 2006, was 8,157 acres; the revised PA is 6,592 acres.

“Performance from the Nanuq Nanuq reservoir has not met expectations, but the reservoir remains a viable development opportunity,” ConocoPhillips told the state. Production began from the participating area in December 2006 and in 2007 production averaged some 400 barrels per day from three producers. The company said 2008 production is averaging some 500 bpd from three wells.

“Current plans are to continue to develop the Nanuq Nanuq reservoir using a phased approach, with new wells planned for 2011,” ConocoPhillips said.

The company said the Nanuq Nanuq sand is on primary production with a study under way on whether to pre-produce planned injector wells. Long-term recovery plans are for waterflood with alternating miscible gas slugs.

“Despite disappointing performance to date, there are still development opportunities in the Nanuq Nanuq reservoir,” the company said. Six wells have been drilled. Operations on a seventh well were suspended before the horizontal section of the well was drilled to move the rig to Fiord during the ice road season. ConocoPhillips said it expects to drill the horizontal section of that well in 2011, “or sooner depending on rig schedule and other opportunities.”

—Kristen Nelson