Linc gets rig for Umiat drilling program

Linc Energy has a “first right of refusal” on Kuukpik 5 rig for next year’s winter exploration drilling in its undeveloped Umiat oil field on the border of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, Corri Feige told Petroleum News March 28.

General manager for the Alaska subsidiary of Australia’s Linc Energy Ltd., Feige was confirming what the directors of the company said March 16 in a performance report on the consolidated entity for the six months ending Dec. 31. It was similar to what its fourth quarter report said on Jan. 31 (see Feb. 5 issue of PN).

The latest report said the following about Umiat, where Linc had hoped to drill five wells this winter:

“The Umiat asset development continues to be the focus for Linc Energy in this region, despite the 2011-2012 winter drilling program being postponed due to logistical and weather (low snow levels which affected snow road development) issues. The Group plans to commence a comprehensive delineation drilling, well testing and deep exploration program in the 2012-2013 winter season on the Umiat site and has contracted a drill rig to undertake this work. In the meantime, the Group is actively engaged in all permitting activities, community and agency consultation, and development of the Project Description and Plan of Development in anticipation of the 2012-2013 drilling season with the goal of having Umiat in production in a timely manner.”

—Kay Cashman