AOGCC extended reinjection order
The Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission had authorized BP Exploration (Alaska) to pump crude oil into designated development wells on an emergency basis while the trans-Alaska oil pipeline was unavailable.
The order, issued Jan. 11, was extended an additional two weeks on Jan. 21 because the pipeline was unavailable at full capacity.
In extending the emergency order, the commission said repairs to the pipeline were taking “longer than anticipated,” and while Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. had completed installation of a piping bypass the line was “still not operating at normal capacity. In turn, BP cannot operate at normal production,” the commission said.
The order allowing BP to pump crude oil into development wells was issued because without the ability to ship oil down the pipeline at normal volumes, “some production must be maintained to protect the safety of operating personnel in the fields and Deadhorse by providing fuel gas” and to prevent damage to production equipment and pipelines from freezing.
The initial order expired after 14 days and the commission said BP requested the extension because the trans-Alaska oil pipeline was still not operating at normal capacity.
—Kristen Nelson
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