By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Feb. 19 -- Brooks Range Petroleum Corp. (BPRC), operator of an Alaska North Slope joint venture led by TG World Energy Corp., Calgary, said the drilling has begun on the first of two exploration wells in the Gwydyr Bay Prospect Area.
The North Shore No. 1 well on Alaska oil and gas lease ADL 47468 is being drilled by Nabors Drilling Alaska Rig No. 16E. This North Shore prospect was recently acquired by BPRC, a subsidiary of Alaska Venture Capital Group, via a farmout arrangement project. TG World holds a 35% working interest in the prospect.
North Shore No. 1, expected to take 30 days to drill, aims to confirm an Ivishak oil accumulation that was originally tested by Mobil Corp. in 1974. That well tested 2,263 b/d of 35° gravity oil on a restricted choke through 35 ft of perforations.
This prospect is just north of giant Prudhoe Bay field on a separate fault block. BRPC said a structural closure of interest was identified using available 3D seismic data.
After completing the North Shore No. 1 operations, the rig is expected to move 1.5 miles north to drill the second well, Sak River No. 1, an independent Kuparuk-Ivishak test. TG World's working interest in the Sak River No. 1 prospect is 35%.
BRPC said a new 3D seismic survey covering 130 sq miles of the JV's acreage in the Gwydyr Bay area is scheduled to start in early March. The survey will aid in evaluating other prospects that have been identified in proximity and on trend to the Northshore and Sak River locations.
Bow Valley Energy Ltd. is expected to pay 28.57% of the drilling costs to earn a 20% interest in each prospect.
