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DGC issues final, preliminary consistency determinations for several winter wells Titania east of Nuiqsut, Oberon and Placer west of Kuparuk, Puviaq in NPR-A west of Teshekpuk Lake, would be drilled in the 2002-2007 winter drilling seasons Kristen Nelson PNA Editor-in-Chief
ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc. winter exploration wells at Titania and Puviaq have received final consistency determinations and a draft consistency determination has been issued for the company’s Oberon and Placer wells.
The Dec. 3 decisions from the Division of Governmental Coordination signal completion of DGC’s coordination of the state’s review of the proposed projects for consistency with the Alaska Coastal Management Program.
The Titania project includes up to four reservoir penetrations (two wells and two sidetracks) on Kuukpik Corp. land east of the Colville River some five miles east-southeast of Nuiqsut in township 10 north, ranges 5 and 6 east, Umiat Meridian. The subsurface mineral rights are owned jointly by the state and Arctic Slope Regional Corp. This is an area proposed for inclusion in the Colville River unit. ConocoPhillips has said drilling would be in the winter seasons December 2002 through 2007.
As many as six wells would be drilled at the Oberon and Placer prospects, on state lands west of Kuparuk, also over winter seasons from December 2002 through 2007. Placer is in townships 11 and 12 north, range 7 east, UM, in the expansion area of the Kuparuk River unit southwest of ConocoPhillips’ new drill site 3-S, which will develop the Palm discovery. Oberon is south of Placer in townships 10 and 11 north, range 6 east, UM.
Puviaq in NPR-A The Puviaq prospect is in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska west of Teshekpuk Lake and south of Smith Bay in the northwestern part of the northeast planning area in townships 15 and 16 north, range 10 west, UM. ConocoPhillips is proposing as many as four reservoir penetrations (up to two wells and two sidetracks) at each of two sites in the December 2002 to June 2004 timeframe, although DGC said it is likely that only the Puviaq No. 1 would be drilled this season. Large aircraft (Hercules or similar aircraft) may be used to provide materials and supplies and approximately 5,000-foot runways are planned for each location. ConocoPhillips is requesting five-year permits from specific agencies for “potential future exploration drilling in areas other than Puviaq in the NPR-A.”
In addition to the DGC consistency analysis and individual permits, the Bureau of Land Management is developing a National Environmental Policy Act environmental assessment for the project.
The drilling rig slated for use at Puviaq was stored over the summer on an insulated ice pad near the Puviaq No. 1 exploration drilling site. If there is additional winter exploration drilling in the Puviaq area beyond the winter of 2002-03, DGC said that the rig would be stored for the summer of 2003 on an insulated ice pad in the area. Once activities are completed in the Puviaq area, the rig will be moved elsewhere in NPR-A for additional over-summering or back to Kuparuk or other area connected to the road system.
DGC said that ConocoPhillips coordinated with the North Slope Borough, and “the exploration program was designed not to enter or cross long-term Native allotments.”
In addition to rolligon routes and ice roads from existing North Slope facilities, a rolligon-ice road route is also being considered from Barrow to Puviaq. DGC said the Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corp., the village corporation of Barrow, and the Bureau of Land Management “will be allowed use of ice roads and rolligon trails, subject to landowners’ approval and stipulations. If the ice road from Barrow to Puviaq is constructed,” DGC said, ConocoPhillips “will post distance and safety information signs on the ice road.”
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