AOGCC OKs disposal ops extension at Aspen

Kristen Nelson

Petroleum News

The Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has approved a limited extension of commercial disposal operations at the Aspen No. 1 well, as the operator, Plugging Inlet LLC, continues plugging and abandonment work on a group of Cook Inlet wells requiring P&A after the Aurora bankruptcy.

In a May 1 order the commission said Plugging Inlet had requested an extension of a previously issued and now expired order which authorized limited duration, commercial disposal, water only injection in the Aspen No. 1 well. The current approval is through Oct. 1, 2019, or when Aspen 1 is plugged and abandoned or when the operator for the well changes.

In December, the commission said, it approved an extension to Oct. 1, 2019, to plug and abandon Plugging Inlet operated wells associated with the Aurora bankruptcy.

Wastes authorized include those from pre-bankruptcy Aurora wells Three Mile Creek 1, 2 and 3 - now operated by Cook Inlet Energy. The commission said Nicolai Creek wells and tank 129 contents have already been disposed of into Aspen 1 and no ongoing Nicolai Creek wastes are permitted. Nicolai Creek is operated by Amaroq.

Numerous conditions are attached to the approval, including daily recording of wellhead pressures and training personnel on requirements of the 100 pounds per square inch pressure limitation.

The commission also approved limited commercial Class II oil field waste disposal for waste fluids associated with the bankruptcy of Aurora, but only for Plugging Inlet-operated wells - Aspen 1, Lone Creek 1, 3 and 4, Kaloa 2, Moquawkie 1, 3 and 4, Simpco Moquawkie 1 and 2 - and Cook Inlet Energy-operated wells - Three Mile Creek 1, 2 and 3.

- KRISTEN NELSON