ConocoPhillips permits second Placer well

ConocoPhillips Alaska has permitted a second well at its Placer prospect on the western edge of the Kuparuk River unit.

The Placer 1 was permitted Jan. 30 with a surface in section 33, township 12 north, range 7 east, Umiat Meridian, and a proposed bottom hole in section 4-T11N-R7E, UM.

The Placer 2, also a directional well, was permitted Feb. 2 with a surface in 32-T12N-R7E, UM, and a proposed bottom hole in 33-T12N-R7E, UM.

This is an expansion area of the ConocoPhillips-operated North Slope Kuparuk River unit, southwest of the successful Phillips Alaska Palm discovery. The expansion agreement with the state requires a well by June 1 to hold the 10,048-acre expansion area. Palm, discovered in 2001, was developed with the new 3S drill site, and ConocoPhillips has told the state it expects that if drilling at Placer is successful, development would “most likely consist of a new drill site that is tied back to the 3S drill site.”