Western Kuparuk 3-D survey begins

A seismic survey is under way on Alaska’s North Slope that ConocoPhillips hopes will lead to more drilling targets in its declining Kuparuk River oil field.

CGG Veritas is conducting the Western Kuparuk 3-D survey for Kuparuk unit operator ConocoPhillips, according to permitting paperwork on file with the State of Alaska, the North Slope Borough and other governmental entities.

The survey, which is permitted to run through the end of May, is shooting approximately 220 square miles of 3-D seismic.

According to permitting documents, the number of personnel involved in the shoot is 140-165.

In its annual plan of development for the Kuparuk unit filed with the state of Alaska last summer, ConocoPhillips said previous 3-D seismic analysis revealed “a significant number of leads for infill or sidetrack drilling.”

—Kay Cashman