Alaska's source for oil and gas news
Alaska's source for oil and gas news
Hilcorp Alaska has filed an application for a unit plan of operations amendment with the Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Oil and Gas to expand the Kalotsa pad in the Ninilchik unit and drill new grassroots wells.
Kalotsa, one of the more southernly pads in the unit, has accounted for 13.56% of natural gas production at Ninilchik over the life of the field and in January, the most recent month for which Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission production data is available, Kalotsa accounted for 48.77% of Ninilchik production.
Of nine wells Hilcorp has permitted at Ninilchik over the last year, six are at Kalotsa, with two completed in February and four still to be drilled.
In its application Hilcorp said it plans to expand the pad to drill up to eight new wells and install associated infrastructure. The new infrastructure includes gas flowlines, electrical and instrumentation systems, line heaters, separators, compressors, a communication tower, well cellars and conductors.
The pad addition would be some 84,102 square feet, 1.93 acres, adjoining the existing pad and directly accessible via the existing Kalotsa pad access road.
Ninilchik Natives Association Inc. is the surface owner. The oil and gas mineral estate owner is Cook Inlet Region Inc.
Schedule
Hilcorp said work is proposed to begin May 1 with snow and vegetation removal as needed, followed in mid-May through Aug. 1 by construction of the pad expansion. Installation of cellars and conductors and mobilization of drilling equipment would begin Aug. 1, followed by the beginning of drilling and well testing.
Installation of facility piping, electrical and instrumentation and infrastructure as needed would occur in September.
Hilcorp Rig 169 or Rig 147 will be used for drilling and well completion.
Hilcorp said major equipment components include drill rig and pipe, boilers, mud tanks, mud pumps, rig generator, work trailers sur staff and supervisory staff and support staff.
Additional support equipment may include an excavator, mini excavator, super sucker, zoom boom and weld truck.
Hilcorp said drilling will be a 24-hour operation, with a trailer staged on the pad to house various supervisory personnel and a minimum number of support personnel.
The Division of Oil and Gas has requested comments on the application by 4:30 P.M. April 13.
