NordAq permitting two west side wells

NordAq Energy Inc. plans to drill as many as two exploration wells this year at its Tiger Eye Central prospect on the west side of Cook Inlet, north of West Foreland.

The Alaska-based company is looking for oil and natural gas in the region.

The exploration program also includes a 3-D seismic acquisition.

The directional wells would start on private land and target the Tyonek, Hemlock and West Foreland formations. Tiger Eye Central No. 1 would reach a bottom-hole location at 11,500 feet, beneath ADL 391104 to the southwest. Tiger Eye Central No. 2 would reach a bottom-hole location at 10,175 feet, beneath ADL 391103, to the southwest.

NordAq plans to build a 2.27-mile single-lane gravel road and a gravel drill pad on Salamatof Native Corp. and barge equipment and material across Cook Inlet, to the area.

The road would cross two streams. The pad would be 500 feet by 500 feet. The Hilcorp-owned Trading Bay production facility is about 1.8 miles northeast of the site.

According to its current schedule, NordAq would drill Tiger Eye Central No. 1 in August and September and potentially drill Tiger Eye Central No. 2 in September and October. Each well is expected to take 45 days to drill and between 10 and 30 days to test.

After the completion of drilling activities, NordAq would permit a 3-D seismic program over the southern end of the prospect to be conducted in February and March 2013.

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources is taking comments through July 16.

—Eric Lidji