|
BP Exploration (Alaska) applies to expand Duck Island unit
Kristen Nelson
The Department of Natural Resources Division of Oil and Gas has received an application from BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. to expand the Duck Island unit adjacent to the eastern boundary of the Prudhoe Bay unit on the North Slope.
The proposed expansion area is currently within the Prudhoe Bay unit.
The application is to expand the Duck Island unit and the Eider participating area within the unit and simultaneously contract the Prudhoe Bay unit and the Niakuk and Lisburne participating areas within Prudhoe Bay. The area proposed to be added to Duck Island is approximately 40 acres within one lease ADL 34634 and would bring the total acreage within the unit to approximately 17,586 acres.
A 30-day comment period ends March 18. DNR will issue a decision within 60 days of the close of the comment period.
Two wells at Eider In its second plan of development (June 30, 1999, through June 30, 2000), BP Exploration (Alaska) said that two wells had been drilled at Eider and that no further drilling in the participating area was anticipated because it was not economically viable given the size and location of remaining reserves. The company said that when it determines that a wall has no remaining economic potential, the abandonment and sidetracking of the well to an alternative bottom hole location will be considered.
BP said the second Eider well was shut in on May 24 at the end of the approved test period. The company plans to maintain reservoir pressure by converting the 1 Eider to water injection once approval has been obtained from Endicott partners for make-up water.
BP said it currently estimates Eider participating field life at approximately 10 years with an expected ultimate recovery with reservoir support of 6.5 million stock tank barrels or 37 percent of the original oil in place.
| 