Alpine facilties might be expanded

Kristen Nelson

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. said in its third quarter operations report that it expects Alpine's facility to be expanded to 135,000 barrels per day, with the expansion to be completed in mid to late 2003.

Anadarko said the Alpine field averaged 94,000 bpd in the third quarter and continues to set production records, producing more than 103,000 barrels during a single day, Sept. 25, and averaging more than 97,000 bpd in July.

With higher than expected production from Alpine and new production anticipated from satellite fields, Alpine's facility is expected to be expanded to 135,000 bpd by mid to late 2003.

Anadarko also said the development drilling rig has been moved to Pad 2. One of the first wells to be drilled was Alpine West, a step out well to identify the western boundary of the field.

The Alpine satellites are Fiord to the north, estimated at 50 million barrels and Nanuq to the south, estimated at 40 million barrels.

Anadarko said that both of these Alpine satellites will be developed and produced through the expanded Alpine facility beginning in the 2005-2006 timeframe. Construction, the company said, should begin in 2002.

Anadarko said it expects to drill its first winter exploration well on the North Slope in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, using Nabors Rig 14E, which it has under contract. The company also said it plans to participate in the acquisition of 1,900 square miles of three-dimensional seismic and 600 square miles of two-dimensional seismic, and to continue its Foothills exploration program.

The NPR-A well, the Altamura No. 1, is south of the Moose's Tooth discovery, Anadarko said. The company expects to participate in as many as 11 additional exploration wells with partners, including delineation of last year's announced discoveries at Moose's Tooth.