Hilcorp planning Milne Point program

Hilcorp Alaska LLC is planning an eight-well development program at Milne Point.

The proposed program would require expanding the Milne Point F Pad to accommodate the additional wells and associated facilities on the southwest side of the pad. In addition to those space requirements, the expansion would allow Hilcorp to reach targets in the Schrader Bluff formation south of the pad without hitting previously drilled wells.

Hilcorp called the 3.2-acre expansion “high priority.” The company is looking to begin placing gravel in March 2017, with drilling to run from November 2017 to July 2018.

The state is taking comments on the project through March 6, 2017.

BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. built F Pad in 1994 and expanded it in 1997, at a time when the development plan for the pad was smaller, as were the associated drilling rigs.

Previous operator BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. focused its development activities at F Pad in 2014. Hilcorp drilled at B Pad, C Pad, J Pad, K Pad and L Pad in 2015 and 2016.

In addition to its drilling activities, Hilcorp has announced plans to expand B Pad, E Pad and L Pad to accommodate increased activity and begun permitting a new Moose Pad.

- ERIC LIDJI