Phillips files to drill up to seven exploratory wells for south Kuparuk exploration project

Kay Cashman

Phillips Alaska Inc. has filed applications with state agencies to drill up to seven new exploratory wells on state lands near the southern boundary of the Kuparuk River unit “during or beyond” the 2001-2006 winter drilling seasons, the Alaska Division of Governmental Coordination said Oct. 11.

The Kuparuk exploration project drill sites are Andros No. 1, Antigua No. 1, Cayman No. 1 and Cirque No. 3 and 4. They are located in T. 9N and 10N, R. 7E-10E, Umiat Meridian.

The project would involve approximately 16 miles of ice roads, 6 inches thick, and up to two 500-by-500 foot ice drill pads per site using approximately 36,593,000 gallons of water from existing permitted sources in the Kuparuk unit. Phillips is applying for authorization to gain early access to the tundra for ice road and pad construction, which could result in road and pad construction beginning as early as Dec. 1 this year.

The company proposes to drill up to three penetrations — one well and up to two sidetracks — per pad, except at the Cirque well sites, where it would drill up to two wells and two sidetracks per pad.

Phillips said it may conduct on-site well testing at any of the well locations. All wells would be plugged and abandoned at the end of each drilling season, however, wells may be temporarily suspended if evaluations cannot be completed before to the close of tundra travel in the spring of each season.

Rolligons, or similar tundra travel vehicles,( or wheeled vehicles on an ice road) will be used to transport the drilling rig to and from the drill sites.

DGC said an Oil Discharge Prevention and Contingency Plan amendment approval is needed from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation before the start of operations. Phillips' plan amendment “is proposed to demonstrate compliance with the prevention and response requirements for their 2001-2001 winter oil exploration season,” DGC said.