An application for an Oil Discharge Prevention and Contingency Plan Renewal has been received by the Department of Environmental Conservation for review under Alaska Statute 46.04.030 and Alaska Administrative Code 18 AAC 75. The details are as follows:
Applicant:
Aurora Gas, LLC
1400 West Benson, Suite 410
Anchorage, AK 99503
Proposed Activity: Aurora Gas, LLC (Aurora) is currently an owner and operator of onshore gas production facilities on the west side of Cook Inlet. These operations currently include natural gas production from several gas reservoirs in this area. Aurora is proposing to conduct additional drilling operations to potentially develop oil and/or natural gas prospects on both the east and west side of Cook Inlet. Crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons may be encountered in some of Aurora’s operations. The plan proposes oil spill prevention and response measures to support their operations for a proposed response planning standard (RPS) of 5,500 barrels per day for 15 days to total 82,500 barrels.
Potential Results: A potential risk of oil spills entering the lands or waters of the state exists from this operation.
Locations of Activities: Potential drilling locations are located at six onshore locations in the Cook Inlet area. These sites include: two potential drilling locations with a single well on the Chickalusion Prospect located on the west site of Cook Inlet near Trading Bay approximately 4 miles west of Tyonek and 40 miles west of Anchorage; two potential drilling locations with a single well on the Three Mile Deep Prospect located on the west side of Cook Inlet near Trading Bay approximately 8 miles north of Tyonek and 35 miles west of Anchorage; two potential drilling locations with a single well located on the west side of Cook Inlet near Trading Bay approximately 10 miles west-northwest of Tyonek and 45 miles west of Anchorage; two potential drilling locations with a single well on the Nicolai Footwall Prospect located on the west side of Cook Inlet near Trading Bay approximately 10 miles southwest of Tyonek and 45 miles west of Anchorage; two potential drilling locations with a single well on the east side of Cook Inlet approximately 12 miles northeast of Kenai and 45 miles southwest of Anchorage; and the West Eagle #1 well located about 20 miles east of Homer, Alaska and about 5 miles from the north shore of Kachemak Bay.
Activity identified as: State Contingency Plan Number 15-CP-5111; Aurora Gas, LLC Oil Discharge Prevention and Contingency Plan for Cook Inlet Area Operations Alaska; Renewal.
To provide comments regarding this application, write to Young Ha; Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation; Division of Spill Prevention and Response; Prevention Preparedness and Response Program; 555 Cordova Street, 2nd Floor, Anchorage, AK 99501; by facsimile to (907) 269-7687, or to young.ha@alaska.gov . The comment period opens July 31, 2015 and will extend for 30 days to August 31, 2015. Requests for additional information must be received by August 24, 2015. The comment period may be extended in accordance with 18 AAC 75.455. Copies of the application and plan are available for public review at the department’s Anchorage and Kenai offices.
The department will hold a public hearing on the plan application if it determines that good cause exists. Residents in the affected area or the governing body of an affected municipality may request a public hearing by writing to the Department of Environmental Conservation at the above address prior to August 31, 2015. The State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you are a person with a disability who may need a special accommodation in order to participate in this public process, please contact Eric Hotchkiss at (907) 465-6171 or TDD Relay Service1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711 prior to August 31, 2015 to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.