ExxonMobil Resumes Drilling at Point Thomson

This season’s drilling program follows a successful summer work program which safely delivered over 30,000 tons of fuel, equipment and supplies in 120 barge runs from the Prudhoe Bay West Dock, some 60 miles west of the Point Thomson drilling site.

“We are making real progress at Point Thomson, and are on schedule to start production in 2014,” said Dale Pittman, Alaska Production Manager for ExxonMobil. “The development plan we are pursuing will bring Point Thomson resources on production in a prudent, efficient and timely manner. ExxonMobil appreciates the hard work and accomplishments of Point Thomson contractors, as well as the diligence of the state and regional regulatory agencies, to move this important project forward. We are working to resolve the unit and lease dispute with the Department of Natural Resources to ensure Point Thomson’s development continues.

He also noted, “The project owners have invested more than $300 million to date, 80 percent of which has been spent in Alaska. We have accomplished this work while maintaining the safety of our workforce and protection of the sensitive environment. Safety of the people and the environment at Point Thomson is the project’s top priority.”

Point Thomson is a natural gas and condensate field located on Alaska’s North Slope. It holds an estimated 8 trillion cubic feet of gas – about 25 percent of the North Slope's gas resource – and about 200 million barrels of condensate. Development of these resources will present significant technical challenges, including drilling and production of a high pressure gas reservoir.