the history and areal distribution of exploration drilling...

1

The History and Areal Distribution of Exploration Drilling Targets Categorized by Play Type, North Slope and Offshore Arctic Alaska

Alaska Geological Society, Anchorage, Alaska

Presentation by Laura Gregersen, Petroleum Geologist Co-author: Garrett Brown, GeologistAlaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and GasMay 29, 2019

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

NSNPRA

Foothills ANWR

OCS OCS

+

Nu

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er

of

Ex

plo

rati

on

We

lls

Dri

lle

d

Completion Date (Year)

NORTH ALASKA EXPLORATION WELLS- IDENTIFIED BY SALE REGIONS -

Data source: AOGCC; AKDOG Public Decisions; BLM

US Navy US Navy & USGS USGS

0

500

1000

1500

2000

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

NSNPRA

Foothills ANWR

OCS OCS

+

Nu

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of

Ex

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Dri

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NORTH ALASKA EXPLORATION AS INFLUENCED BY- LAND AVAILABILITY, PIPELINE ACCESS, AND KEY DISCOVERIES -

Oil

+ N

GL

Pro

du

ctio

n (

M B

BL

/D

ay

)


Land STOP

Oil

Data source: AOGCC; AKDOG Public Decisions; BLM

WHAT PLAYS ARE THE EXPLORERS TARGETING?- GENERALIZED STRATIGRAPHIC COLUMN AND CROSS SECTION -

Figure modified from Houseknecht and Bird, 2006; Garrity and others, 2005; and AKDOG.

0’

5,000’

10,000’

15,000’

20,000’

25,000’

30,000’

SL

1

2 3

4

56

7

8

9

Kilo

met

ers

Figure modified from Bird and Molenaar, 1992; AKDOG; DGGS; and P. Decker personal communication.

1

12 2

33

4

5

4

5

BEA

UFO

RTI

AN

HOW DO PLAYS CONTRIBUTE TO PRODUCTION?- THROUGHOUT TIME AND TODAY -

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

1969 1973 1977 1981 1985 1989 1993 1997 2001 2005 2009 2013 2017M

BB

LS/D

ay

North Alaska Oil + NGL Production by Play Type

JRSCshoreface

BRKNTurbidite

BRKNTopset

CRCSrift

ELSM

Year

74%2%

20%

1%3%

Percent of Total Production through 2018 (~18 Billion BBLS)

12%

48%28%

2%10%

Percent of Production in 2018 (187 Million BBLS)

Data source: AOGCC; AKDOG

Figure modified from Houseknecht and Bird, 2006; Garrity and others, 2005; and AKDOG.

1

2

3

4

5

BEA

UFO

RTI

AN

EXPLORATION DRILLING TARGETS – ALL CATEGORIES- AND REGIONAL TECTONIC ELEMENTS -

Beaufort SeaChukchi Sea

Arctic Ocean

NPRA

ANWR 1002 Area

Foothills

Anticlinal TrendsKirshner, 1994


Arctic Ocean

NPRA

ANWR 1002 Area

Foothills


Nu

mb

er

of

We

lls

Ta

rge

tin

g O

bje

ctiv

eCOUNT OF EXPLORATION TARGETS BY YEAR

- ELLESMERIAN CLASTICS AND CARBONATES -

Oil

+ N

GL

Pro

du

ctio

n (

M B

BL

S/

Day

)

1 1 1 1

25

11

1

4

23

98

11

67

10

8

6

2

89

6

2 1 2 23

13

13

2 1 1 2

43

5

31 1

4

1 -0

3

6

9

12

15

18

21

24

27

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

1 1 1 1

25

11

1

4

23

98

11

67

10

8

6

2

89

6

2 1 2 23

13

13

2 1 1 2

43

5

31 1

4

10

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

0

3

6

9

12

15

18

21

24

27

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

1 1 1 1

25

11

1

4

23

98

11

67

10

8

6

2

89

6

2 1 2 23

13

13

2 1 1 2

43

5

31 1

4

1

PBU Ivsk & PBU Lsbr, 1968

MPU Sgrv , 1969

PBU NPB, 1970

Gwyder Bay, 1969

Kavik, 1969

Kemik, 1972

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

0

3

6

9

12

15

18

21

24

27

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

1 1 1 1

25

11

1

4

23

98

11

67

10

8

6

2

89

6

2 1 2 23

13

13

2 1 1 2

43

5

31 1

4

1


MPU Sgrv , 1969

PBU NPB, 1970

EDCT Kkkk, 1978

EDCT Ivsk, 1982

N Star Ivsk, 1984

Gwyder Bay, 1969

Kavik, 1969

Kemik, 1972 Sandpiper, 1986

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

0

3

6

9

12

15

18

21

24

27

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

1 1 1 1

25

11

1

4

23

98

11

67

10

8

6

2

89

6

2 1 2 23

13

13

2 1 1 2

43

5

31 1

4

1


MPU Sgrv , 1969

PBU NPB, 1970

EDCT Kkkk, 1978

EDCT Ivsk, 1982

N Star Ivsk, 1984

PBU Ptmc Ivsk, 1997

EDCT Eider, 1998

PBU Raven, 2001

EDCT Sgrv Ivsk, 2009

Gwyder Bay, 1969

Kavik, 1969

Kemik, 1972 Sandpiper, 1986

Liberty, 1997

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

0

3

6

9

12

15

18

21

24

27

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

US Navy US Navy & USGS

Data sources: AOGCC; AKDOG; USGS; BOEM; DOE/NETL

= Discovery (Developed)

= Discovery (Produced > 440 MM BBLS)

= Discovery (Undeveloped)

ELLESMERIAN EXPLORATION TARGETS- CLASTIC AND CARBONATE DEPOSITION ON A STABLE SHELF -

50 100 Miles0


Arctic Ocean

NPRA

ANWR 1002 Area

Foothills

ELLESMERIAN EXPLORATION TARGETS- KEKIKTUK FORMATION: NON-MARINE -

Kekiktuk Fm

100 Miles500


Arctic Ocean

NPRA

ANWR 1002 Area

Foothills

ELLESMERIAN EXPLORATION TARGETS- LISBURNE GROUP: PLATFORM CARBONATES -

Kekiktuk Fm

Lisburne Gp

100 Miles500


Arctic Ocean

NPRA

ANWR 1002 Area

Foothills

ELLESMERIAN EXPLORATION TARGETS- SADLEROCHIT GROUP NON-MARINE TO SHALLOW MARINE -

Kekiktuk Fm

Sadlerochit Gp

Lisburne Gp

100 Miles500


Arctic Ocean

NPRA

ANWR 1002 Area

Foothills

ELLESMERIAN EXPLORATION TARGETS- SHUBLIK AND SAG RIVER FORMATIONS: MARINE -

Shublik Fm

Kekiktuk Fm

Sadlerochit Gp

Lisburne Gp

Sag River Fm

100 Miles500


Arctic Ocean

NPRA

ANWR 1002 Area

Foothills

EXPLORATION TARGETS AND DISCOVERIES BY YEAR- JURASSIC SHOREFACE -

Nu

mb

er

of

We

lls

Ta

rge

tin

g O

bje

ctiv

e


1 1 1 1

3

1

2

1 1 1

2

3 3

2

3

2

1 1

3

4

2

4

8

2

3

4

10

6

2

4

1

2

5 5

2

5

4

3

2

-0

2

4

6

8

10

12

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

Oil

+ N

GL

Pro

du

ctio

n (

M B

BL

S/

Day

)

1 1 1 1

3

1

2

1 1 1

2

3 3

2

3

2

1 1

3

4

2

4

8

2

3

4

10

6

2

4

1

2

5 5

2

5

4

3

2

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

1 1 1 1

3

1

2

1 1 1

2

3 3

2

3

2

1 1

3

4

2

4

8

2

3

4

10

6

2

4

1

2

5 5

2

5

4

3

2

E Barrow Gas, 1974

S Barrow Gas, 1949

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

1 1 1 1

3

1

2

1 1 1

2

3 3

2

3

2

1 1

3

4

2

4

8

2

3

4

10

6

2

4

1

2

5 5

2

5

4

3

2

E Barrow Gas, 1974

S Barrow Gas, 1949

CRU Alpine, 1994

CRU Fiord Nechelik , 1992

Oooguruk Nuiqsuit, 1985

Sikulik Gas, 1988

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

1 1 1 1

3

1

2

1 1 1

2

3 3

2

3

2

1 1

3

4

2

4

8

2

3

4

10

6

2

4

1

2

5 5

2

5

4

3

2

E Barrow Gas, 1974

S Barrow Gas, 1949

CRU Alpine, 1994

CRU Fiord Nechelik , 1992

GMT Alpine, 2002

Oooguruk Nuiqsuit, 1985

Sikulik Gas, 1988

Spark Rendevous, 2000

Pikka JRSC, 2014

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016






ALPINE

NUIQSUITNECHELIK

SIMPSON/KUGRA

BARROW

Beaufort Sea

Chukchi Sea

Arctic Ocean

NPRAANWR 1002 Area

Foothills

JURASSIC SHOREFACE EXPLORATION TARGETS- EARLY RIFTING: OPENING OF ARCTIC OCEAN -

EXPLORATION TARGETS AND DISCOVERIES BY YEAR- CRETACEOUS RIFT -

Nu

mb

er

of

We

lls

Ta

rge

tin

g O

bje

ctiv

e


1 1 1

8

7

1

3

1

5

3

8

7

4

9

10

7

1

4

5

3

2 2

5

1

4

9

8

3

1

4

2

4 4

2

9

1

3

2

3

2

3

5

1

2

1

6

3

2 2

-0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

1 1 1

8

7

1

3

1

5

3

8

7

4

9

10

7

1

4

5

3

2 2

5

1

4

9

8

3

1

4

2

4 4

2

9

1

3

2

3

2

3

5

1

2

1

6

3

2 2

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

Oil

+ N

GL

Pro

du

ctio

n (

M B

BL

S/

Day

)

1 1 1

8

7

1

3

1

5

3

8

7

4

9

10

7

1

4

5

3

2 2

5

1

4

9

8

3

1

4

2

4 4

2

9

1

3

2

3

2

3

5

1

2

1

6

3

2 2

KRU Kprk & MPU Kprk, 1969

PBU Borealis & PBU Aurora, 1969

PBU Put Riv, 1975

PBU West Beach, 1976

Pt Thomson, 1976

Walakpa Gas, 1980

PBU Niakuk, 1985

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

1 1 1

8

7

1

3

1

5

3

8

7

4

9

10

7

1

4

5

3

2 2

5

1

4

9

8

3

1

4

2

4 4

2

9

1

3

2

3

2

3

5

1

2

1

6

3

2 2



PBU Put Riv, 1975


Pt Thomson, 1976

Walakpa Gas, 1980

PBU Niakuk, 1985

PBU Pt McIntyre, 1989

CRU Fiord Kprk , 1993

Oooguruk Kprk, 1993

CRU Nanuq Kprk , 1996

PBU Mid Sun, 1997

Burger, 1990

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

1 1 1

8

7

1

3

1

5

3

8

7

4

9

10

7

1

4

5

3

2 2

5

1

4

9

8

3

1

4

2

4 4

2

9

1

3

2

3

2

3

5

1

2

1

6

3

2 2



PBU Put Riv, 1975


Pt Thomson, 1976

Walakpa Gas, 1980

PBU Niakuk, 1985

PBU Pt McIntyre, 1989

CRU Fiord Kprk , 1993

Oooguruk Kprk, 1993

CRU Nanuq Kprk , 1996

PBU Mid Sun, 1997

N Star Kprk, 2002

Burger, 1990

Mustang, 2012

Placer, 2004

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016






CRETACEOUS RIFT EXPLORATION TARGETS- CONTINUED RIFTING AND UPLIFT OF BARROW ARCH -

Beaufort Sea

Chukchi SeaArctic Ocean

NPRA

ANWR 1002 Area

Foothills

KUPARUK

??

??

?

??

?

LCU Subcrop Map (Bird, 1998)

Basement

LCU to Ivishak FmIsochore (public well picks)

BURGER

WALAKPA

KEMIK

THOMSON

PUT RIVER

KUPARUK

KUPARUK C


Nu

mb

er

of

We

lls

Ta

rge

tin

g O

bje

ctiv

eEXPLORATION TARGETS AND DISCOVERIES BY YEAR

- BROOKIAN TURBIDITE -

Oil

+ N

GL

Pro

du

ctio

n (

M B

BL

S/

Day

)

1 1

2

8

1

4

1

4

3

1 1

4

1

4

2 2 2

5

4

3

1

4

1

5

3 3

2

3

4

3 3

5

2 2

4 4

5

1

3 3

1

3 3

1

6

5

3

1

0

2

4

6

8

10

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

1 1

2

8

1

4

1

4

3

1 1

4

1

4

2 2 2

5

4

3

1

4

1

5

3 3

2

3

4

3 3

5

2 2

4 4

5

1

3 3

1

3 3

1

6

5

3

1

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

0

2

4

6

8

10

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

1 1

2

8

1

4

1

4

3

1 1

4

1

4

2 2 2

5

4

3

1

4

1

5

3 3

2

3

4

3 3

5

2 2

4 4

5

1

3 3

1

3 3

1

6

5

3

1

Badami, 1990

KRU Tarn, 1991

Sourdough, 1994

Stinson, 1990EastKurupaGas, 1976

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

0

2

4

6

8

10

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

1 1

2

8

1

4

1

4

3

1 1

4

1

4

2 2 2

5

4

3

1

4

1

5

3 3

2

3

4

3 3

5

2 2

4 4

5

1

3 3

1

3 3

1

6

5

3

1

Badami, 1990

KRU Tarn, 1991KRU Meltwater, 2000

CRU Nanuq, 2000Ooog Torok, 2009

Badami Und, 2010

Sourdough, 1994

Stinson, 1990EastKurupaGas, 1976

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

0

2

4

6

8

10

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016


= Discovery (Developed)= Discovery (Undeveloped)


BROOKIAN TURBIDITE EXPLORATION TARGETS- FILLING IN COLVILLE TROUGH: PRO-DELTA TO DEEP MARINE -

Beaufort Sea

Chukchi Sea

Arctic Ocean

NPRA

ANWR 1002 Area

Foothills

BADAMI FLAXMAN

KILLIAN

Canning Fm

Torok Fm

CASSINMORAINE

NANUQNUNATARN

BERMUDA

Seabee Fm

EXPLORATION TARGETS AND DISCOVERIES BY YEAR- BROOKIAN TOPSET-

Nu

mb

er

of

We

lls

Ta

rge

tin

g O

bje

ctiv

e


2

1

4

14

3

6

1 1 1

8

3

2

1

5

1 1

3

2 2 2 2

4 4

2

3

1

2

3

7

1

2

1 1

2

3

2

6

4

10

9

7

1 1

3

2 2 2 2

7

-0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

Nu

mb

er

of

We

lls

Ta

rge

tin

g O

bje

ctiv

e

2

1

4

14

3

6

1 1 1

8

3

2

1

5

1 1

3

2 2 2 2

4 4

2

3

1

2

3

7

1

2

1 1

2

3

2

6

4

10

9

7

1 1

3

2 2 2 2

7

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

Oil

+ N

GL

Pro

du

ctio

n (

M B

BL

S/

Day

)

2

1

4

14

3

6

1 1 1

8

3

2

1

5

1 1

3

2 2 2 2

4 4

2

3

1

2

3

7

1

2

1 1

2

3

2

6

4

10

9

7

1 1

3

2 2 2 2

7

FishCrOil, 1949

GubikGas, 1951

MeadeGas, 1950

Oumalik, 1947

SimpsonOil, 1950

SquareLakeGas, 1952

UmiatOil, 1950

WolfCrGas, 1951

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

2

1

4

14

3

6

1 1 1

8

3

2

1

5

1 1

3

2 2 2 2

4 4

2

3

1

2

3

7

1

2

1 1

2

3

2

6

4

10

9

7

1 1

3

2 2 2 2

7

PBU Orion, 1969

KRU Ugnu, 1969

PBU Polaris, 1969

MPU Scbf & Ugnu, 1969

KRU Wssk, 1971

EastUmiatGas, 1964

FishCrOil, 1949

GubikGas, 1951

MeadeGas, 1950

Oumalik, 1947

SimpsonOil, 1950

SquareLakeGas, 1952

UmiatOil, 1950

WolfCrGas, 1951

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

2

1

4

14

3

6

1 1 1

8

3

2

1

5

1 1

3

2 2 2 2

4 4

2

3

1

2

3

7

1

2

1 1

2

3

2

6

4

10

9

7

1 1

3

2 2 2 2

7

PBU Orion, 1969

KRU Ugnu, 1969

PBU Polaris, 1969


KRU Wssk, 1971

KRU Tabasco, 1986

CRU Qannik, 1996

EastUmiatGas, 1964

FishCrOil, 1949

GubikGas, 1951

Hammerhead, 1985

Kuvlum, 1992

MeadeGas, 1950

Oumalik, 1947

SimpsonOil, 1950

SquareLakeGas, 1952

UmiatOil, 1950

WolfCrGas, 1951

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

2

1

4

14

3

6

1 1 1

8

3

2

1

5

1 1

3

2 2 2 2

4 4

2

3

1

2

3

7

1

2

1 1

2

3

2

6

4

10

9

7

1 1

3

2 2 2 2

7

PBU Orion, 1969

KRU Ugnu, 1969

PBU Polaris, 1969


KRU Wssk, 1971

KRU Tabasco, 1986

CRU Qannik, 1996

Nikaitchuq Scbf, 2004

EastUmiatGas, 1964

FishCrOil, 1949

GubikGas, 1951

Hammerhead, 1985

Kuvlum, 1992

MeadeGas, 1950

Oumalik, 1947

Pikka, 2013

SimpsonOil, 1950

SquareLakeGas, 1952

UmiatOil, 1950

Willow, 2016

WolfCrGas, 1951

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016


= Discovery (Developed)= Discovery (Undeveloped)


BROOKIAN TOPSET EXPLORATION TARGETS- COEVAL NON-MARINE, SHALLOW MARINE, AND DELTA -

Beaufort Sea

Chukchi Sea

Arctic Ocean

NPRA

ANWR 1002 Area

Foothills

Sagavanirktok Fm

GRANDSTAND

WILLOW

QANNIK

Nanushuk Fm

Tuluvak Fm

PCCK/SCBF/WSSK

EXPLORERS AND DISCOVERERS- ALASKA THANKS YOU -

Data sources: AOGCC; AKDOG; USGS; BOEM; DOE/NETL0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

ACCUMULATE ENERGY

ASRC

GREAT BEAR

SAVANT

AMERADA HESS

ENI

FEX

N.S. BOROUGH

TECK COMINCO

BROOKS RANGE

PIONEERCaelus

OneWellOperatorsEncanaTotal

HamiltonBroMcCullochCoO&GMalVaugh

ANADARKOKerrMcGee

REPSOLArmstrong

SHELL

ExxonMobilHumbleSinclair

ChevronTexacoUnionUnocalSocalTennGulf

NavyUSGSHuskyOilDOI

BPAmocoSOHIO

ARCOConocoPhillips

Number of Exploration Wells DrilledExplorer

Oil Search

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

ACCUMULATE ENERGY

ASRC

GREAT BEAR

SAVANT

AMERADA HESS

ENI

FEX

N.S. BOROUGH

TECK COMINCO

BROOKS RANGE

PIONEERCaelus

OneWellOperatorsEncanaTotal

HamiltonBroMcCullochCoO&GMalVaugh

ANADARKOKerrMcGee

REPSOLArmstrong

SHELL

ExxonMobilHumbleSinclair

ChevronTexacoUnionUnocalSocalTennGulf

NavyUSGSHuskyOilDOI

BPAmocoSOHIO

ARCOConocoPhillips

ELSMJRSCCRCSBRKNturbBRKNtopExploration

Oil Search

The Map and Database of Exploration Drilling Targets Categorized by Play Type, North Slope and Offshore Arctic Alaska is available on the Alaska Division of Oil and Gas’ website: http://dog.dnr.alaska.gov/Information/Studies

MAP & DATABASE OF EXPLORATION DRILLING TARGETS- CUSTOM BUILT FOR ALASKA’S EXPLORERS -

http://dog.dnr.alaska.gov/Information/Studies

Inside Look at the Database:

MAP & DATABASE OF EXPLORATION DRILLING TARGETS- CUSTOM BUILT FOR ALASKA’S EXPLORERS -

OCS Well Histories & Public Exploration Plans are also available on our studies page:

FOIA Request (BOEM-2018-00218)

EXPLORATION TARGET ABBREVIATIONS- COLOR CODED BY PLAY TYPE: BROOKIAN SEQUENCE -

EXPLORATION TARGET ABBREVIATIONS- COLOR CODED BY PLAY TYPE: BEAUFORTIAN , ELLESMERIAN , & OTHER -

CONCLUSIONS

1. Land availability, pipeline access, and large oil discoveries have historically fueled exploration drilling in North Alaska.

2. Mapping exploration drilling targets by stratigraphic play type highlights regional geologic trends.

3. Ellesmerian reservoirs have contributed more oil than any other play type, with Cretaceous rift reservoirs coming in second.

4. Exploration discoveries in the past two decades have resulted in the Jurassic shoreface reservoirs and Brookian topset reservoirs making up a larger portion of our present day production (22% in 2018).

5. Giant sized oil accumulations are still being discovered in North Alaska (BrookianTopset Play – CPAI & Oil Search/Repsol/Armstrong).

6. The exploration target maps and database are constructed with the explorer in mind: http://dog.dnr.alaska.gov/Information/Studies

7. AK DOG also created a document that highlights public data sources relevant to oil and gas exploration – SALSA: http://dog.dnr.Alaska.gov/Library/SALSA

http://dog.dnr.alaska.gov/Information/Studies

http://dog.dnr.alaska.gov/Library/SALSA

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & DISCLAIMER

Acknowledgements:The authors gratefully acknowledge Kelsey Anderson and Joseph Skutca for their early contributions to the exploration target research in NPRA and state lease sale regions. The authors also gratefully acknowledge Kirk Sherwood for guiding us through the federal data request process for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) well data. Significant improvements were made to the maps and presentation from feedback and discussions with Kirk Sherwood, Paul Decker, Don Krouskop, Steve Moothart, Kevin Frank, Ken Helmold, Dave LePain, Dan Seamount, Steve Davies, Meredith Guhl, David Boyer, Adam Manzer, Yelena Young, and Sean Clifton. The maps benefited from cartographic expertise provided by Sean Conlon and Marta Mueller.

Disclaimer:This map was created, edited, and published by the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas, and is for informational purposes only.

The State of Alaska makes no express or implied warranties (including warranties for merchantability and fitness) with respect to the character, functions, or capabilities of the electronic data or products or their appropriateness for any user's purposes. In no event will the State of Alaska be liable for any incidental, indirect, special, consequential, or other damages suffered by the user or any other person or entity whether from the use of the electronic services or products, or any failure thereof or otherwise. In no event will the State of Alaska's liability to the Requestor or anyone else exceed the fee paid for the electronic service or product.

the history and areal distribution of exploration drilling...

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