Anadarko Petroleum Corp. Announces Medium-Sized Natural-Gas Discovery in Cook Inlet, Alaska

Strategic Insights -

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. has made a significant natural-gas discovery in Cook Inlet, south of Anchorage, Alaska. The well, located in the Moquawkie field, has produced 10.6 million cubic feet of gas per day in a test, making it a medium-sized producer by Cook Inlet standards. This discovery could mark the first natural-gas well for Anadarko in Alaska, with the company planning to develop the well and produce gas. However, the investment size and production timeline remain unclear.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Moquawkie field well produced 10.6 million cubic feet of gas per day in a test, making it a medium-sized producer by Cook Inlet standards.
  • The well is located in an ideal spot, close to pipeline, gas market, onshore, and with access by air.
  • Anadarko and Arco jointly hold approximately 175,000 acres in the area, with most of the land leased from Cook Inlet Region Inc.
  • The well sits within five miles of a natural-gas pipeline and close to Chugach Electric Association's production plant.
  • Most of the Moquawkie area has been explored but without successful strikes, according to petroleum engineer Bill Van Dyke.
  • Anadarko and Arco began exploring their Moquawkie leases this summer, and the company might drill more wells in the area.
  • The strike is shallow, at 2,400 feet below the surface, but the pressure is not expected to be high due to its shallow depth.

Statistics:

  • 10.6 million cubic feet of gas per day: the production rate of the well in a test.
  • 175,000 acres: the approximate amount of land jointly held by Anadarko and Arco in the Moquawkie area.
  • 5 miles: the distance between the well and a natural-gas pipeline.
  • 2,400 feet: the depth of the strike below the surface.
  • 40 miles: the distance from Anchorage to the Moquawkie field.

Sources:

  • Anadarko Petroleum Corp. announcement (no specific date provided).
  • Carol Cox, Anadarko spokeswoman, quoted in the article.
  • Bill Van Dyke, petroleum engineer with the state Department of Natural Resources, quoted in the article.
  • Arco Alaska Inc. and Cook Inlet Region Inc. (no specific dates or publication information provided).