ConocoPhillips seeks state OK to place 10,300 cubic yards of gravel at North Slope CPF2 pad

ConocoPhillips Alaska wants to expand and maintain its Kuparuk River Unit Central Processing Facility 2 pad by placing 10,300 cubic yards of gravel, with public comments due July 26 before the state makes any decision.

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas, received the Unit Plan Amendment application on June 10. According to the agency's public notice, the Division received the application "requesting to place approximately 10,300 cubic yards of clean gravel fill to maintain and expand the Kuparuk Central Processing Facility (CPF2) gravel pad in the Kuparuk River Unit (KRU)." Approximately 0.7 acres of tundra would be disturbed by the expansion portion of the project. The CPF2 pad sits about 15 miles south of Oliktok Point. The proposed project will be adjudicated under Alaska Statute 38.05 and 11 AAC 83.346.

DNR approved related CPF-2 road-improvement gravel work in 2018 under the same LONS 81-180 project lineage. DNR records list at least nine Unit Plan of Operations amendment applications from ConocoPhillips for the Kuparuk River Unit, indicating a history of incremental infrastructure amendments at the unit.

Filing is not approval. Any work start depends entirely on whether DNR approves the amendment. The application package is available for public review online through the Division's Newsroom and at the Division's Permitting Section at 550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1100, Anchorage. Written comments go to [email protected] or the Anchorage address and must arrive by 4:30 pm Alaska Daylight Time on July 26. Eligible persons may appeal or request reconsideration of DNR's final decision under 11 AAC 02. DNR states that it complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and offers auxiliary aids or special modifications for individuals with disabilities who wish to participate in the comment and review process.