NPR-A Legacy Wells Program - Plugging Activity Summaries

The Naval Petroleum Reserve Number 4, now called the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A), is an area of approximately 23 million acres in the northernmost part of Alaska, and was established by executive order on February 27, 1923. During early exploration programs, the U.S. Navy (1944-1953) and the U.S. Geological Survey (1975–1982) drilled 136 wells and core holes termed, "Legacy Wells" ranging from 100 to 20,335 feet deep. In 1976, the NPR-A was transferred to the Department of the Interior under the National Petroleum Reserves Production Act. The BLM is responsible for the management of surface and subsurface federal minerals in the NPR-A.

In 2004, BLM completed an inventory and prepared an assessment of the Legacy Wells program in the NPR-A. The BLM continues to assess the condition of the wells and continues to plug those wells that pose an environmental risk. Twelve wells have been plugged by the BLM since 2002.

Log Data from early exploration efforts can be found on the USGS website:  http://nerslweb.cr.usgs.gov/

 

For more information, please contact our BLM Alaska Public Information Center at (907) 271-5960

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