A major focus for Hilcorp at Prudhoe this year is new development of viscous, or thick, oil in the undeveloped parts of Prudhoe’ west end. Hilcorp has been able to increase the west-end viscous oil production from 10,000 barrels per day in 2020 to 30,000 barrels per day currently. More increases at Prudhoe are coming. Modifications to field production plants are underway to handle more of the thicker oil and construction of a new 30-inch liquids pipeline and 12-inch gas line is underway this winter to support new production. Hilcorp currently has 830 employees and 1,500 contractor employees working at Prudhoe, Fisk said. At the Milne Point field, which is adjacent to Prudhoe Bay, production reached 51,000 barrels per day in January, a record. The field has been a real success story. When Hilcorp acquired Milne Point from BP in 2014, production was 14,000 barrels per day. Hilcorp has been particularly successful with its use of a polymer flood (injection) to increase viscous oil production at Milne Point. Interestingly, BP’s Alaska managers proposed the polymer project to increase viscous oil production but were unable to get corporate approval. Hilcorp decided to go ahead with the technology after it acquired the field from BP. The company began the injection of polymers in 2018 and is now injecting 60,000 barrels a day with plans to increase it to 160,000 barrels per day. Hilcorp will also use the technology to increase production at the Nikaitchuq field that it recently acquired and the Ugnu heavy oil deposit at Milne Point. Hilcorp now has 110 employees and 400 contractor employees at Milne Point. — Tim Bradner CONTINUED from PAGE 14 THE LINK: MARCH 2025 16 Photos by Judy Patrick
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTcxMjMwNg==