Kerr-McGee top ANS explorer

Kerr-McGee drilled the most exploration wells on Alaska’s North Slope in the current winter drilling season, which is quickly coming to a close. The company, which completed two offshore exploration wells last winter, drilled six wells this year, including — two at Nikaitchuq, one at Tuvaaq, Kigun (on a farm-out from the Kuparuk River unit) and two at Ataruq (part of the Two Bits leases).

Armstrong Alaska was a partner in all of the above wells and ConocoPhillips was a partner in two as part of a farm-out deal at Tuvaaq and Kigun.

ConocoPhillips, the only other company drilling exploration wells on the slope this season, drilled two wells, although it likely spent more money on its exploration program than Kerr-McGee because both wildcats, Kokoda No. 1 and No. 5, were in a remote area of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska which required 70-plus miles of ice roads.

The Kokoda wells were drilled in partnership with independents Anadarko Petroleum and Pioneer Natural Resources.

—Kay Cashman