Pioneer permitting Nuna exploration program

Pioneer Natural Resources Alaska Inc. has detailed its Nuna appraisal program for this coming winter in September filings made to the Alaska Division of Oil and Gas.

The program involves testing the Nuna No. 1 (or NDST-1) well exploration well drilled earlier this year and drilling an additional exploration well, currently called NDST-2.

The program would run from November 2012 to May 2013.

Like NDST-1, NDST-2 would start from an onshore ice pad at the Kuparuk River unit and continue to an offshore bottom-hole location on Pioneer lease ADL 355038.

The testing will collect additional reservoir information and the drilling will further delineate the reservoir. Pioneer plans to hydraulically fracture and flow test NDST-2.

Pioneer plans to shut-in both wells at the end of the season.

The Nuna No. 1 well tested at an initial production rate of 2,000 barrels of oil per day, leading Pioneer to announce a potential 50 million barrel discovery at the field.

Nuna is an extension of the Pioneer-operated Oooguruk unit.

—Eric Lidji