NordAq proposing Tiger Eye unit onshore west side of Cook Inlet

NordAq Energy Inc. wants to form the Tiger Eye unit over two leases covering some 8,480 acres on the west side of Cook Inlet near West Forelands and the Kustatan River.

The proposed unit is 1.8 miles southwest of the Trading Bay production facility.

The unit would cover ADL 391103 and ADL 391104.

The Anchorage independent plans to drill two wells at the unit: Tiger Eye Central No. 1 in the second quarter of 2013 and Tiger Eye North No. 1 in the second quarter of 2014.

The company is asking for the unit to be approved for a term ending Dec. 31, 2015.

NordAq plans to build a 2.39-mile gravel road to the proposed well sites this summer and acquire 3-D seismic over the southern half of the prospect this winter. NordAq expects to construct an additional 2.5-mile gravel road next year in preparation for the second well.

In its application, NordAq said it has spent $1.7 million to date exploring the region.

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources is taking comments through Aug. 7.

NordAq has 100 percent working interest in the leases, which expire Sept. 30. The leases have a 12.5 state royalty interest and there are a number of overriding royalty interest owners, with a combined 10.7 percent royalty interest in ADL 391103 (3,911 acres) and 11.1 percent in ADL 391104 (5,760 acres), including Paul Gavora, Daniel Gilbertson and Nick Stepovich, who acquired the leases at a 2006 state oil and gas lease sale.

—Eric Lidji