Alaska governor calls for more North Slope production

Oct. 3, 2005
Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski said state agencies are cooperating with oil majors to try to increase oil production from the Alaska North Slope in the wake of Hurricane Katrina hitting the Gulf of Mexico.

Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski said state agencies are cooperating with oil majors to try to increase oil production from the Alaska North Slope in the wake of Hurricane Katrina hitting the Gulf of Mexico. ANS oil producers averaged 848,742 b/d in August, up 5% from July because production was reduced during summer maintenance pipeline shutdowns, state statistics indicated.

Murkowski released letters from ConocoPhillips and BP PLC on Sept. 13 (before Hurricane Rita added to the loss of oil production from the gulf) that outlined each company’s near-term plans to increase ANS production.

Chevron Corp. said it’s producing at maximum capacity, but it might undertake some additional well work in 2 months. However, it would be late in the year because this work could affect production volumes, the company added.

ConocoPhillips plans to add as much as 5,500 b/d from Kuparuk, West Sak, and Alpine fields in the coming weeks. This includes 1,500 b/d from the 1J West Sak pad development at Kuparuk and 2,000-4,000 b/d from a recently completed facility expansion at Alpine.

BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. awaits approval from the Alaska Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Oil and Gas and also from the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to authorize tract operations and injection orders for three Niakuk area wells-NK-38A, NK-43, and NK-65A-which would accelerate about 5,000 b/d of additional oil production.

“Where state approval is required, state agencies are responding expeditiously,” Murkowski said. “Every barrel of oil we can produce is a barrel our nation needs. I appreciate the willingness of the producers in this time of national need to leave no stone unturned in their efforts to increase production.”