Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission report: December 2017

Alan Bailey

Petroleum News

On Dec. 12, the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission approved (Area Injection Order No. 2C.054) a request from ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc. to continue water injections at the Kuparuk River Unit 2K-06 well. ConocoPhillips reported a potential Inner Annulus x Outer Annulus pressure communication at the well on March 22 while injecting gas. After confirming the gas communication, the company switched to water injections for a 30-day monitoring period. The company did not observe the Inner Annulus x Outer Annulus communication during the monitoring period, but Tubing x Inner Annulus communication was evident. The company shut in the well and began another monitoring period, during which time neither communication was observed. Subsequent diagnostic testing convinced the AOGGC of the integrity of the well.

On Dec. 17, the AOGCC issued Industry Guidance Bulletin 17-001. The bulletin provided clarification about the testing procedures required for new well casings.

On Dec. 28, the AOGCC approved (Area Injection Order No. 32.001) a request from Cook Inlet Energy LLC to continue water injection at the Redoubt 3A well. The company reported a potential Tubing x Inner Annulus pressure communication on Dec. 18 while injecting water. Diagnostic testing convinced the AOGGC of the integrity of the well.

The AOGCC has scheduled a public hearing for Feb. 8 to consider a request from ConocoPhillips revise an existing order to allow for the injection of Beaufort Sea water and produced water from the Kuparuk River unit for enhanced oil recovery purposes.

- ERIC LIDJI