State sets meetings on Holitna basin exploration license

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Oil and Gas will be holding public informational meetings on proposed issuance of a gas-only exploration license for the Holitna basin.

The division said informational meetings will be held in the Holitna area: March 14 at 1 p.m. in the Sleetmute School Gym; March 15 at 1 p.m. in the Crooked Creek Traditional Council Building; and March 15 at 7 p.m. in the Aniak Community Center.

The division said it is currently preparing a best interest finding, and no decision has yet been made on whether issuing an exploration license is in the state’s best interest.

Holitna Energy Co. submitted a request to convert shallow natural gas applications to an exploration license in July; the division asked for comments on the proposal in October. The proposed license area is in townships 16-18 north, ranges 41-43 west, Seward Meridian. The division said the proposed license may affect the communities of Stony River, Red Devil and Sleetmute.

If granted, the license would give the holder the exclusive right to explore state land within the license area for deposits of gas for up to 10 years.

The division expects to issue a preliminary best interesting finding in March and a final best interest finding in July.