Hilcorp applies for more gravel mining

Hilcorp Alaska has applied to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources for an expansion to Mine Site E on the North Slope, for the provision of gravel for pad expansions in support of the drilling of new wells in the Milne Point unit. The company has also applied to purchase 500,000 cubic yards of material from the expanded gravel mine site, according to a public notice issued by DNR. DNR has requested public comments on the proposed mine site expansion by Aug. 10.

According to the DNR notice, Mine Site E currently encompasses an area of 157 acres about two miles east of Oliktok Road, five miles southeast of Oliktok Point and two miles south of Simpson Lagoon. The site lies within the Milne Point unit. The proposed expansion to the site involves the addition of one mine cell on the north side of the site and another cell on the east side. The result would be to add 50.5 acres to the site.

In general, gravel for oil industry pad and road construction on the North Slope is obtained from state operated gravel mines in the region.

- ALAN BAILEY