DNR approves North Slope easement for Hilcorp drilling expansion

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources approved a 71.91-acre easement amendment Monday to support Hilcorp Alaska's planned wellbore expansion on the North Slope. Drilling is set to begin early this month.

The Division of Oil and Gas granted the amendment, designated ADL 419388, to Hilcorp's existing Nikaitchuq Unit wellbore easement. The expansion accommodates new wellbores drilled from the Onshore Production Pad at Oliktok Point through Kuparuk River Unit leases to reach Nikaitchuq Unit oil reserves offshore in the Beaufort Sea. No hydrocarbons will be produced from the Kuparuk leases themselves.

The Nikaitchuq Unit is an offshore oil development north of Oliktok Point that uses an onshore production pad to support drilling operations. The Kuparuk River field, one of the largest on the North Slope and located roughly 40 miles west of Prudhoe Bay, provides established infrastructure that operators can use to access nearby offshore reservoirs.

The public comment deadline for the easement application was May 29. DNR issued its approval June 1.

The public notice describes the action as a permitting matter. It does not confirm changes to production volumes, employment, or subsistence impacts.