Repsol permitting gravel exploration work

Repsol E&P USA Inc. has applied to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water, for a land use permit for winter geotechnical drilling at Kuparuk. In a Dec. 14 public notice the division’s Northern Region Land Office said the geotechnical drilling was “to identify and delineate potential gravel material sites for use in development of potential oil production facilities.”

There are four sites for the winter drilling program, and up to 25 boreholes may be drilled at depths up to 70 feet at each site. The division said that if an area is chosen for in-depth gravel delineation, “up to 45 boreholes would be drilled to a maximum depth of 60 feet.”

Boreholes would be backfilled to tundra grade with soil cuttings and purchased soil material, if needed, after sampling.

Public comments are being accepted through close of business Dec. 27, but the division said that it believes “the requested activity would be de minimis in nature and would not restrict other uses of the gravel pad and intends to authorize the activity.”

Repsol is in the second year of an extensive winter exploration drilling program on the North Slope, with four wells planned this season in the fairway between the Oooguruk and Colville River units.

—Petroleum News