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Hilcorp gets OK for more Tyonek conductors, up to 20 more wells
Kristen Nelson Petroleum News
Hilcorp Alaska is planning to install as many as 10 dual-well, 30-inch steel conductors and ice breakers at the Tyonek Platform in the North Cook Inlet unit over the next 5 years, enabling it to drill as many as 20 additional wells from the platform.
North Cook Inlet is one of the company's most productive gas fields, averaging 42.42 million cubic feet per day in February, the most recent month for which Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission production data is posted, 22% of inlet gas production in that month. AOGCC data show production from 20 wells, including nine sidetracks. In February only the Beluga River field, operated by Hilcorp on behalf of itself and majority working interest owner Chugach Electric Association, was more productive, accounting for 22.7% of inlet production and averaging 43.7 million cubic feet mcf per day.
Hilcorp acquired North Cook Inlet from ConocoPhillips Alaska effective Oct. 31, 2016.
In that month, the field's production averaged 12.52 million cubic feet per day with eight wells in production, including one sidetrack.
Hilcorp has been drilling at the Tyonek platform using its Spartan 151 jack-up drilling rig.
Ice breakers first The Alaska Department of Natural Resources' Division of Oil and Gas approved the company's unit plan of operations amendment, which covers five years, 2025 to 2030, on April 16.
In its approval, the division said the additional well slots will allow for increased development of the unit.
The work involves welding ice breakers to the outside of the platform's legs, followed by installation of the conductors.
The work will begin this year on leg two, with the first ice breaker to be installed over the summer, and the first two conductors in the fall.
The conductors will be driven to 175 feet below the mudline.
The division said the work will provide Hilcorp with up to 20 additional well slots on the platform.
--KRISTEN NELSON
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