2023 North Slope Update.

The following update of oil and gas activity on the North Slope is in no way comprehensive--that's a tall order for any single article. Instead, we have chosen a few projects and drilling programs that highlight recently completed work from 2022 and anticipated work in 2023.

The biggest news on the North Slope for 2023 is that Willow got the green light from the US Department of the Interior (DOI). Following the DOI's approval, an environmental group immediately sued to halt the project, challenging the Biden Administration's decision. While the lawsuit is ongoing, a judge denied the group's requested injunction to halt work. As of April, the Willow project has broken ground on construction of a gravel road. According to ConocoPhillips, its next steps are continuing a review of the DOI's Record of Decision (ROD) and advancing an internal approval process, moving steadily toward a Final Investment Decision.

According to ConocoPhillips chairman and CEO Ryan Lance, "This was the right decision for Alaska and our Nation. Willow fits within the Biden Administration's priorities on environmental and social justice, facilitating the energy transition and enhancing our energy security, all while creating good union jobs and providing benefits to Alaska Native communities."

The DOI selected Alternative E from the Willow Project EIS, which reduces the project's footprint from five potential drill sites to three: BT1, BT2, and BT3. In its ROD, DOI further specified that it "disapproved, rather than defers, drill site BT5 and associated infrastructure." The three sites may have a combined total of up to 199 wells. The "Approved Willow Project Description" sidebar gives a cetailed account of ConocoPhillips Alaska's authorized plans for Willow.

ConocoPhillips | Colville River Unit

In February, ConocoPhillips Alaska submitted its twenty-fifth Plan of Development (POD) for its Colville River Unit. According to the POD, ConocoPhillips Alaska completed all approved development plans included in its twenty-fourth POD, including the CD4-597 opportunity well, the expansion of CD4, construction and start-up of the Alpine Power Expansion, and the CD133A disposal well, which replaces the now pluggec and abandoned WD03. The company also completed an additional opportunity within the Fiord West Kuparuk participating area, spudding the CD2-361 producer in Q4 2022.

Much of the company's plans for July 2023 through July 2024 are confidential, but ConocoPhillips Alaska did share that, at the Alpine Pool, drilling will continue for CD2-361 into Q2 of 2023. The company states: "With continued success on...