North Slope oil production set to jump 76% as new fields come online

Kuparuk Transportation Company filed an application June 1 seeking permits to increase the Kuparuk Pipeline's metering capacity from 360,000 to 634,000 barrels per day, a 76% jump that would handle growing North Slope crude production.

The Regulatory Commission of Alaska will determine whether the application is complete by June 23. Public comments are due by 5 p.m. June 26.

The capacity increase would come through construction of a new meter module at Pump Station 1, where the Kuparuk Pipeline connects to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. The filing says the expansion is intended to handle growing North Slope production, including expected connections from the Pikka Sales Oil Pipeline, which is designed for up to 160,000 barrels per day.

Kuparuk Transportation Company currently operates under Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity No. 307 for North Slope crude oil transportation.