Hilcorp seeks oil spill plan renewal for North Slope operations

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is accepting public comments through May 12 on Hilcorp Alaska's application to renew its oil spill prevention and response plan for operations on the Beaufort Sea.

Hilcorp operates the Nikaitchuq and Oooguruk production facilities west of Milne Point near the Colville River. The facilities include two offshore gravel islands connected to mainland operations by subsea pipelines. The company is seeking approval to maintain response capabilities for potential spills ranging from 400 barrels from a storage tank to 236,842 barrels from an exploration well blowout.

The plan covers drilling, production, and oil storage operations at multiple sites including the Oliktok Production Pad, Spy Island Drill Site, and Oooguruk Drill Site. Hilcorp's crude oil transmission pipeline connects to the ConocoPhillips Kuparuk pipeline system.

The state requires oil operators to demonstrate they have adequate resources to respond to a realistic maximum discharge. Hilcorp's plan addresses four different spill scenarios based on the type of equipment or operation involved.

Residents can submit comments online at dec.alaska.gov/comment or by mail to Kailyn Olnes at the Department of Environmental Conservation, 610 University Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99709. Comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. on May 12, 2026.

The department will hold a public hearing if it determines good cause exists. Residents in affected areas or municipal governing bodies can request a hearing by writing to the department before April 27.

The full application is available at dec.alaska.gov/Applications/SPAR/PublicMVC/IPP/CPlansUnderReview.