ConocoPhillips confirms Willow discovery appraisal on ANS

ConocoPhillips upped its five-well drilling campaign to a sixth with the 2018 Winter exploration and appraisal program on Alaska’s wester North Slope at the Willow discovery. Discovered in January 2017, the Tinmiaq 2 and 6 were drilled in early 2016 and encountered 72 ft and 42 ft of net pay, respectively, in the Brookian Nanushuk formation in the Greater Mooses Tooth (GMT) Unit in the northeast section of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) (OGJ Online, Jan. 13, 2017).

The company’s original plan called for two appraisal wells plus three exploration wells. Improved drilling efficiencies made it possible to drill a third appraisal well and a sidetrack, all of which encountered oil and verified the play’s potential. The company previously estimated Willow to contain at least 300 million bbl of recoverable oil.

ConocoPhillips conducted flow tests on the five scheduled wells and said results were “encouraging,” but provided no further details.

The company is now anticipating exploration and appraisal plans for the 2019 drilling season.

Contact Tayvis Dunnahoe at [email protected].