BLM approves Greater Mooses Tooth 2 oil and gas development project in Alaska
Organization
BLM Office:
Media Contact:
Yesterday, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued a Joint Record of Decision (ROD) with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) for the Greater Mooses Tooth 2 (GMT2) project, continued production of oil and gas from federal lands in the 22.1-million acre National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A).
“We are proud of the collaborative efforts that resulted in this milestone for responsible energy development,” said BLM Alaska Acting State Director Ted Murphy. “The contributions of numerous stakeholders, especially Alaska Native communities, was key to bringing this project to completion.”
In August 2015, ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc. (ConocoPhillips) submitted an application to the BLM to permit a 14-acre pad and up to 48 wells, an 8.2-mile road, and an 8.6-mile pipeline connecting GMT2 with GMT1. ConocoPhillips anticipates starting construction of GMT2 during the winter of 2018-2019 and expects the site to be in production for 30 years from 2020-2050. ConocoPhillips estimates that the approximately 40,000 barrels of oil produced per day will result in royalties amounting to roughly $2.13 billion, with payments shared among the resource owners.
The project will provide substantial economic benefits to Alaska Native Corporations that own a significant portion of the subsurface mineral estate while also delivering an essential product to support America's future energy needs.
The JROD includes supplemental best management practices, in addition to those required by the NPR-A Integrated Activity Plan, as well as project design features to reduce impacts.
Some of the additional best management practices required by the JROD include requiring wildlife protection measures for fleet and aircraft traffic; establishing agreements to ensure Native communities have access to roads for subsistence purposes; and monitoring of wildlife populations, habitat, and ecosystem processes potentially impacted by the development.
Currently, 199 authorized leases cover 1,384,352 acres in the NPR-A. Bids received for the 13 lease sales since 1999 have generated more than $282 million.
A notice of availability for the Final Supplemental EIS for the Alpine Satellite Development Plan for the Greater Mooses Tooth 2 Development Project was published in the Federal Register on Sept. 5, 2018.
All documents detailing this decision are available on the BLM Greater Mooses Tooth 2 project website.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.