Notice of Public Hearing
STATE OF ALASKA
ALASKA OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION
RE: Docket Number: CO-26-008
Hilcorp Alaska, LLC’s Spacing Exception Application for Well OI15A
Nikaitchuq Unit, North Slope Borough, Alaska
Hilcorp Alaska, LLC (Hilcorp), by letter dated August 5, 2026, filed an application with the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (AOGCC) for an exception to the spacing requirements to drill Nikaitchuq OI15A in the Schrader Bluff Oil Pool pursuant to 20 AAC 25.055(a)(1) and Rule 2 of Conservation Order 477b.
OI15A
Surface Location: 2114' FNL, 1640' FEL, Section 5, T13N, R9E, Umiat Meridian (UM)
Target Location (Estimated): 70' FSL, 268’ FEL, Section 33, T14N, R9E, UM
Bottom Hole Location: 70' FSL, 509 FEL, Section 34, T14N, R9E, UM
Well spacing regulations protect the oil and gas rights of adjacent leaseholders and landowners and maximize resource recovery by establishing default limits on how close, under the land's surface, oil and gas wells can be to property lines where ownership changes hands. These limits are set forth in regulation 20 AAC 25.055. Operators must abide by the default limits unless they apply for, and obtain, an order approving an exception to those limits. Although exceptions to the default limits are not unusual, AOGCC carefully evaluates each application, and typically grants them only when actual geologic conditions demonstrate that the proposed subsurface location of a well is necessary to reach otherwise unreachable oil or gas and that both the rights of adjacent leaseholders and landowners and underground drinking water can be protected. As a general matter, AOGCC does not have extensive authority over surface impacts such as noise, emissions, or construction.
This notice does not contain all the information filed by Hilcorp. To obtain more information, contact the AOGCC’s Special Assistant, Samantha Coldiron, at (907) 793-1223 or samantha.coldiron@alaska.gov.
The AOGCC has tentatively scheduled a public hearing on this matter for October 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. via Microsoft Teams. The hearing, which may be changed to full virtual, if necessary, will be held in the AOGCC hearing room located at 333 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501. The audio call in information is (907) 202-7104 Conference ID: 600 522 565#. Anyone who wishes to participate remotely using MS Teams video conference should contact Ms. Samantha Coldiron at least two business days before the scheduled public hearing to request an invitation for the MS Teams. To request that the tentatively scheduled hearing be held, a written request must be filed with the AOGCC no later than 4:30 p.m. on September 11, 2026.
If a request for a hearing is not timely filed, the AOGCC may issue an order without a hearing. To learn if the AOGCC will hold the hearing, call (907) 793-1223 after September 15, 2026.
In addition, written comments regarding this application may be submitted to the AOGCC, at 333 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501 or samantha.coldiron@alaska.gov. Comments must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on September 25, 2026, except that, if a hearing is held, comments must be received no later than the conclusion of the October 1, 2026, hearing.
If, because of a disability, special accommodations may be needed to comment or attend the hearing, contact Samantha Coldiron, at (907) 793-1223, no later than September 24, 2026.
Thomas W. McKay Gregory C. Wilson
Chair, Commissioner Commissioner