This map shows a proposed road and gravel pad that are part of Hilcorp Alaska’s application to drill gas exploration wells near Anchor Point, Alaska. (Image courtesy Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas)

This map shows a proposed road and gravel pad that are part of Hilcorp Alaska’s application to drill gas exploration wells near Anchor Point, Alaska. (Image courtesy Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas)

Hilcorp seeks to drill gas exploration wells near Anchor Point

Public comments accepted through March 4

The oil and gas company Hilcorp Alaska is seeking to move forward with a project to drill gas exploration wells near Anchor Point.

The Texas-based company submitted a Lease Plan of Operations Permit application to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources in January requesting authorization to drill two wells in Whiskey Gulch — one gas-only, and one combination oil and gas well. The Whiskey Gulch site is approximately 3 miles northeast from Anchor Point.

Part of Hilcorp’s proposal is to construct a 2.75-acre gravel pad on private surface lands at the end of Cape Ninilchik Avenue.

“Whiskey Gulch Pad is proposed on partially improved private lands,” according to Hilcorp’s application.

Hilcorp seeks to drill the two wells on that pad on the state oil and gas lease. The total depth of drilling would be 10,000 feet, according to a public notice of the proposal from the DNR.

The company does not plan any permanent infrastructure or facilities as part of its proposal, according to the application. The proposal also includes a planned road extension from the intersection of Cape Ninilchik Avenue and Opportunity Lane in order for Hilcorp to reach the gravel pad.

“Pad and access road construction activities will include organic removal/grubbing of the construction footprint, leveling/preparing pad and access road footprint, placement of geotextile liner on the pad and access road footprint, and placement of approximately 20,000 cubic yards of gravel fill over the liner,” the application reads. “Gravel fill will be compacted and a containment berm will be built around the edge of the pad.”

According to the DNR’s public notice, the proposed construction could begin around March 15 if approved, and would be followed by drilling activities around June 1. Drilling and testing could last through early September, according to the DNR.

If the drilling proved successful, any further development or production in the area would need to go through its own permitting process.

The DNR’s Division of Oil and Gas is accepting comments on Hilcorp’s proposal until 4:30 p.m. on March 4. You can submit comments via email at dog.permitting@alaska.gov, or by mail to the following address:

Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas

550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1100

Anchorage, AK 99501

A copy of the final decision on Hilcorp’s proposal will be sent to anyone who submits a comment, according to the DNR.

To read Hilcorp’s full application, visit aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/Attachment.aspx?id=126521.

Reach Megan Pacer at mpacer@homernews.com.

More in News

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, a Soldotna Republican who co-chairs the House Education Committee, speaks in favor overriding a veto of Senate Bill 140 during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
By 1 vote, lawmakers sustain Dunleavy veto of education bill

The bipartisan bill included $680 increase to per-student funding

The Sterling Highway crosses the Kenai River near the Russian River Campground on March 15, 2020, near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Russian River Campground closed for construction

The campground is expected to reopen on June 2

A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)
Fish and Game announces series of closures and restrictions for king salmon fisheries

Cook Inlet king salmon stocks are experiencing a prolonged period of poor productivity, the department said

Montessori materials sit on shelves in a classroom at Soldotna Montessori Charter School on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Education debate draws state attention to peninsula charter schools

Dunleavy would like to see a shift of authority over charter school approvals from local school districts to the state

The Nikiski Senior Center stands under sunlight in Nikiski, Alaska, on Thursday, March 14, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Support available for community caregivers

Nikiski Senior Center hosts relaunched Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program

Flags flank the entrance to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office on Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dunleavy vetoes bipartisan education bill

Senate Bill 140 passed the House by a vote of 38-2 and the Senate by a vote of 18-1 last month

The Alaska State Capitol on Friday, March 1, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
House passes bill altering wording of sex crimes against children

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer

Ben Meyer and Brandon Drzazgowski present to the Soldotna and Kenai Chambers of Commerce at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Watershed Forum gives update on streambank restoration

The watershed forum and other organizations are working to repair habitat and mitigate erosion

The entrance to the Kenai Police Department, as seen in Kenai, Alaska, on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai resident arrested on charges of arson

Kenai Police and Kenai Fire Department responded to a structure fire near Mountain View Elementary

Most Read