ConocoPhillips, Anadarko to expand Alpine capacity in Alaska

May 19, 2003
ConocoPhillips Alaska and Anadarko Petroleum Corp. Friday reported plans to increase the oil production capacity of Alpine field on Alaska's North Slope beginning in late 2004.

By OGJ editors

HOUSTON, May 19 -- ConocoPhillips Alaska and Anadarko Petroleum Corp. Friday reported plans to increase the oil production capacity of Alpine field on Alaska's North Slope beginning in late 2004.

Alpine field, from which production started in November 2000, currently produces 100,000 b/d of oil. The $60 million Phase I Alpine Capacity Expansion Project (ACX1) will boost the field's oil production by another by another 5,000 b/d.

The project also will increase water and gas-handling capacities at a field processing plant, which can aid in increased oil production and maintaining reservoir pressure. Additional expansion opportunities are being studied.

NANA-Colt Engineering LLC in Anchorage is performing ACX1 design engineering, after which bids for truckable module fabrication will be requested. ACX1 North Slope construction has been awarded to VECO Alaska Inc.

To date, 34 production wells and 34 injection wells of a planned 94 wells have been completed at two Alpine drill sites. Alpine has been developed with horizontal well technology and employs enhanced oil recovery.

ConocoPhillips said that Alpine, declared commercial in 1996, is the largest onshore oil field discovered in the US in more than a decade. It is in the Colville River area 34 miles west of Kuparuk River field, near the border of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.

ConocoPhillips holds a 78 % interest and operates the field; Anadarko holds 22%.