Fairweather Geophysical starts work on North Slope

Alan Bailey

Fairweather Geophysical LLC has partnered with the Kuukpik Native corporation to do seismic surveys on the North Slope. Fairweather Geophysical is a member of the Anchorage-based Fairweather group.

“We’ve been working in the Cook Inlet for the past a year and a half, and we’re trying to extend our [business] onto the North Slope,” said Jeff Hastings, president of Fairweather Geophysical. Hastings said that his company is mobilizing for a three dimensional seismic survey for Phillips Alaska Inc. in the Colville Delta, starting this winter.

Fairweather Geophysical’s joint venture company with Kuukpik for its North Slope operations is called Kuukpik Fairweather Geophysical.

Although the joint venture has existed for about a year and a half, the North Slope initiative has been on hold until recently because of uncertainties surrounding the ARCO takeover. “Now there’s some focus by all of the companies — we’re seeing more activity,” Hastings said.

In Cook Inlet, Fairweather Geophysical has focused on heliported land surveys and surveys in tidal flats. The company ties together data from land, inter-tidal and marine surveys.

Hastings said the company is expanding its staff from 40 to between 100 and 120, in order to support its North Slope activities.