ANCHORAGE, Alaska – ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc. announced today that it achieved a drilling record for Alaska at drill site CD5 in the Colville River Unit (Alpine) on Alaska’s North Slope. CD5 is the first commercial oil development on Alaska Native lands within the boundaries of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A).
Doyon Rig 19 drilled a horizontal injection well 26,196 feet, a record for overall measured length of a well for the state. The well was drilled to a true vertical depth of approximately 7,400 feet and had a horizontal leg of 17,228 feet. The well took 24 days to drill, and encountered Alpine “A” sands.
“Longer wells allow the company to access more of the reservoir without increasing the gravel footprint of the development,” said Mike Wheatall, manager of drilling and wells for ConocoPhillips Alaska. “Ultimately, longer wells like these could mean more oil produced over a longer period of time.”
“This exciting drilling record at Alpine is a significant technological achievement,” said Joe Marushack, president of ConocoPhillips Alaska. “This accomplishment continues our tradition of innovation and developing resources in a way that minimizes impacts to the environment. It’s something I’m very proud of, and I congratulate our drilling employees and contractors for their excellent work.”
Alpine was the first North Slope field developed exclusively with horizontal well technology. More than 60 square miles of subsurface can be accessed from a single drilling pad. Wheatall said since first oil at Alpine in 2000, advanced technology has enabled longer wells that can access more of the oil-bearing zone in a field.
ConocoPhillips Alaska announced in April that funding had been approved for additional wells and associated on-pad infrastructure at the CD5 drill site. The additional wells and infrastructure will bring CD5 to its full permitted well capacity. CD5 is exceeding its original production target of 16,000 BOPD gross, and is currently producing approximately 20,000 BOPD gross average, year to date.
CD5 is part of the Colville River Unit, which is operated by ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc. (78 percent interest). A subsidiary of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: APC) holds a 22 percent interest.
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About ConocoPhillips Alaska
ConocoPhillips has been leading the search for energy in Alaska for more than 50 years. We are committed to responsibly developing Alaska’s resources, providing economic opportunity for Alaska, operating at the highest safety standards and being good stewards of our community. For more information, visit www.conocophillipsalaska.com.
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Media Contact:
Natalie Lowman (Alaska)
907-263-4153 desk
n.m.lowman@conocophillips.com
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