ANWR offshore stratigraphic test well permitting moves forward

Kay Cashman

Petroleum News publisher & managing editor

On April 5, the Alaska Division of Oil and Gas awarded ASRC Energy Services E&P Technology Inc. a contract to initiate permitting for the proposed stratigraphic test well offshore the 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This will allow drilling during the upcoming winter drilling season, should a drilling consortium be formed, division geologist Jim Cowan told Petroleum News.

“Several permit approvals have to be in hand by the end of July or so in order to undertake several pre-mobilization and mobilization activities during the short open-water season in the area,” Cowan said. “Hopefully, knowledge that these permit applications are being initiated will encourage participation in the project. As per last week’s amendment to the original award, interested parties now have until May 31 to join the program as original participants.” (See related article in the April 4 issue of Petroleum News.)

Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski has said he would like the test well drilled this coming winter.

The initial permitting work will not be site-specific in nature, Cowan said.