Alaska North Slope Exploration and Development: Pioneer's Arctic Experience

 

Pioneer Natural Resource has been conducting E&P operations on Alaska's North Slope since 2004.  Several plays were tested across the area, resulting in an offshore development, Oooguruk, which produces from horizontally drilled laterals, some undulating.  The three target reservoirs are reached from a single drill site, ODS, and is conducted from a man-made island approximately 5 miles offshore in the Beaufort Sea.   Although a prolific oil basin, and relatively shallow target zones, the project faces many challenges. Rock quality, reservoir pressure management through injection, and steep operating costs in a challenging environment combine to make this project a world class investment with world class operational obstacles.   A range of these challenges and mitigations will be presented and discussed. Pioneer’s strong commitment to operating in an environmentally sensitive manner resulted in no wildlife harmed during the assembly of this material or during the life of the project.