State OK’s Pt. Thomson, Oooguruk deals

Through a series of about 100 separate transactions in August, Exxon Mobil Corp., ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc., BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. and Chevron U.S.A. Inc. shuffled their working and royalty interests in 35 leases at the Point Thomson unit.

The transactions include all the Exxon-operated leases at the eastern North Slope unit, but not the two Point Thomson unit leases operated by Devon Energy Production Co.

The transfers range from less than 5 percent to as much as 45 percent working interest and similar royalty interest percentages, according to recent Alaska Department of Natural Resources records. The state approved the transfers retroactive to June 2012.

Also in August, the state approved a deal at the Oooguruk unit, where Eni Petroleum US LLS transferred a 30 percent working interest and some 24 percent royalty interest in four leases to unit operator Pioneer Natural Resources Alaska Inc. The four leases — ADL 390505, ADL 390697, ADL 391434 and ADL 391908 — are in the southern end of the unit, in the recent expansion area associated with the burgeoning Nuna development.

Historically, Eni has held a 30 percent interest in the Oooguruk project.

—Eric Lidji