Two Idaho gas-condensate fields to be developed

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Mar. 21 -- The first commercial hydrocarbon discoveries in Idaho are about to be developed.

Willow and Hamilton gas-condensate fields in Payette County were discovered in 2010 and appraised by six wells, said 50-50 explorers Bridge Resources Corp. and Paramax Resources Ltd., both of Calgary (OGJ Online, Oct. 22, 2010).

Talks are under way with Northwest Pipeline for the installation of a meter station to connect the fields to its interstate transmission system, providing access to customers in Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. Bitter Creek Pipeline, LLC, a subsidiary of MDU Resources Group, has begun design and permitting for the installation of the pipelines and the midstream facilities upstream of the meter station.

Design and planning of the pending stimulation of the four additional Hamilton wells to determine well production rates and optimal pipeline size is complete. These are very small fracs to clean-up highly porous conventional sand reservoirs. The stimulation program is subject to state approval of fracing parameters, which is expected in April, and on availability of equipment to be contracted once approval is received.

In addition to the work at Hamilton field, planning and design of the installation of the facilities and the 8½-mile pipeline to tie-in Willow field has started.