Oil development is ramping up in the National Petroleum Reserve.
ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc. says it’s adding wells and other infrastructure at its CD5 site in the Alpine Field.
The site is the first commercial oil development on Alaska Native lands within the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. It began producing oil in October.
The CD5 pad was designed for 33 wells.
Original development funding was for 15 wells and 10 have been completed.
ConocoPhillips estimates the cost of the new project at approximately $190 million and says the additional wells and infrastructure will bring the site to its full design and permit capacity.
Project work will begin this year. The first oil from the next phase of drilling is expected in the third quarter of 2017.
