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ConocoPhillips applies to expand KIC north entrance to gravel pad
Kristen Nelson Petroleum News
ConocoPhillips Alaska has applied to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources' Division of Oil and Gas for a unit plan of operations amendment to cover a 3.5-acre expansion at the north entrance of the Kuparuk Industrial Center pad.
(See map in the online issue PDF)
In its project overview the company said the work would involve placing some 20,140 cubic yards of clean gravel fill between the KIC laydown yard and the existing northern entrances.
Because the existing gravel infrastructure has inconsistent thickness, a 3-inch-thick blue board insulation will be laid under the gravel for thermal protection of underlying permafrost and allowing a smoother transition to existing grade.
"Extending the northern entrances increases laydown space and safety for large vehicles and emergency equipment utilizing the existing KIC gravel pad," ConocoPhillips said.
Discussing the purpose and need for the work, the company said it "will increase safety and support the transportation and storage of heavy equipment, emergency equipment, piping, modules, and other materials on the KIC gravel pad" maintaining safe and reliable operation of existing infrastructure needed to support ongoing and planned activities in the Greater Kuparuk Area.
Work plan The schedule calls for gravel mining, hauling, placement and compacting from Jan. 15 through June 1, which is the anticipated date for project completion.
Construction equipment involved may include graders, front-end loaders, dump trucks, excavators and compactors.
Gravel will be from Mine Site C or other permitted sources in the Greater Kuparuk Area, with gravel to be placed by existing maintenance contractor work force at Kuparuk.
There will be permanent impacts to 3.5 acres of jurisdictional wetlands, ConocoPhillips said, noting that "wetlands proposed for impact have experienced indirect impacts from surrounding development which have decreased their overall function."
The division posted a public notice of the project Sept. 29 and is taking comments through 4:30 p.m. Oct. 29.
--KRISTEN NELSON
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