State approves 4 new PBU wells at W Pad

Kristen Nelson

Petroleum News

Prudhoe Bay unit operator Hilcorp North Slope has received approval for four new wells at W Pad.

In an Oct. 5 plan of operations amendment, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Oil and Gas said Hilcorp sought authorization for four new development wells and installation of associated infrastructure at W Pad in the Prudhoe Bay unit. The wells will be located within the existing W Pad well row. Associated infrastructure includes well houses, heat tracing, power and instrumentation cables and tie-in piping and electrical lines. Thermosiphons may be installed to limit future subsidence.

The division said project work is expected to begin in November, and includes:

*Installation of headers and conductors.

*Drilling development wells.

*Installing associated infrastructure, including wellhouses, heat tracing, power and instrumentation cables and tie-in piping and electrical lines.

*Installing thermosiphons if necessary.

*Tying wells into existing infrastructure.

W Pad is some 16 miles east of Deadhorse.

In mid-September the division approved addition of six new development wells on M Pad.

- KRISTEN NELSON