BP drills deeper at Badami

Petroleum News Alaska Staff

BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. received state approval May 11 for a plan of exploration for deeper stratigraphic horizons outside the Badami pool at the Badami unit east of Prudhoe Bay.

BP said in a plan submitted May 4 that drilling of the B1-36 well would soon be complete. The well, which is being drilled from the Badami central processing unit pad, will have a measured depth of 15,472 feet and a true vertical depth of 12,556 feet.

The Badami unit was created to produce from Brookian sands at approximately 9,900 feet.

BP said that the Badami unit working interest owners propose to “undertake exploration activities in additional stratigraphic horizons” through April 2000.

If well results from the B1-36 justify further work, production testing for as long as 90 days will be done through the Badami production facilities. The deepest horizon will be tested first. A second interval may be tested later.

The Department of Natural Resources Division of Oil and Gas told BP that must report on activities within 30 days after the end of the testing period or by Nov. 1, 1999, whichever comes first, including whether or not the B1-36 well is capable of producing or contributing to production of hydrocarbons in paying quantities from each interval tested. If the B1-36 is to be produced, a plan of development for the tested interval will be required. The new horizon may involve a new participating area or an expansion of the existing Badami sands participating area.