BP Exploration (Alaska) (BPXA) - Northstar

BP Nortthstar Map

ABOUT THE NORTHSTAR PROJECT

Northstar is a joint Federal/State of Alaska unit located in the Beaufort Sea about 12 miles northwest of Prudhoe Bay.

BP Exploration Alaska, Inc. (BPXA) was the original lessee and operator of Northstar. On April 22, 2014, BPXA announced that it agreed to sell interests in four BP-operated oilfields on the North Slope of Alaska to Hilcorp Alaska, LLC. On Nov. 18, 2014, Hilcorp Alaska took over and accepted the duties and responsibilities of Operatorship of the Northstar Unit (100-percent ownership) and Liberty Unit (Hilcorp received 50-percent ownership and became the designated operator).

NorthstarBP also sold to Hilcorp interest in prospects in State of Alaska waters -- notably the Duck Island (Endicott) Unit (100-percent interest), and onshore at the Milne Point Unit (50-percent interest). The agreement includes associated pipelines in the Milne, Northstar and Endicott fields.

Northstar’s seven producing Federal wells fall under the regulatory authority of BOEM's sister agency, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). Its other wells fall under the regulatory oversight of the State of Alaska.

 

CHRONOLOGY
2014
Nov 18

Hilcorp Alaska takes over and accepts the duties and responsibilities of Operatorship of the Northstar and Liberty units.

Apr 22

BP announces that it has agreed to sell interests in four BP-operated oilfields on the North Slope of Alaska to Hilcorp Alaska, LLC (Hilcorp Alaska). The sale agreement includes all of BP’s interests in the Endicott and Northstar oilfields and a 50-percent interest in each of the Liberty and the Milne Point fields. The sale also includes BP’s interests in the oil and gas pipelines associated with these fields.

 
1999
Sep 23

MMS issues letter noting availability of Record of Decision.

Sep 03 MMS approves Northstar Development and Production Plan.
Aug 08 MMS issues Record of Decision on Northstar DPP.
Jun 03 MMS issues Finding of No Significant Impact relating to BP’s Northstar Development and Production Plan, the Final Environmental Impact Statement, and Draft and State-Approved versions of the Oil Discharge Prevention and Contingency Plans.
May 03 U.S Army Corps of Engineers issues Record of Decision for Northstar Project.
Feb 18 The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s Division of Air and Water Quality (Watershed Management Section) issues a wastewater disposal permit to BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc.
Feb 04 State of Alaska’s Division of Governmental Coordination completes coordinating the State’s review of the Northstar Development Project for consistency with the Alaska Coastal Management Program.
1998
Mar 03

BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. provides final modification to the Northstar Development and Production Plan (DPP) to the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers, the lead agency for this joint Federal- and State-managed project.

 

Additional Northstar Public Information