Permitting
natural resource extraction projects in Alaska is one of SolstenXP’s
core services. We have permitted exploration drilling and other
E&P activities for many companies including Hess Corporation
(non-resident operator), ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, BP Exploration
(Alaska) Inc., Anadarko, TotalFinaElf as well as
smaller independent oil and gas companies. We also have
extensive in-house experience permitting mineral exploration and mining
operations.
Our approach is results oriented as we realize
that permit acquisition is part of a larger project. We draw on
our operations background to prepare permitting submittals that not only
meet or exceed regulatory requirements but are also practical and
workable in the field.
SolstenXP has the expertise to provide:
- Preliminary Permit Planning
- Permit Applications for Exploration, Construction and Production.
- Compliance Matrices
- Alternative Analyses Matrices and Evaluations
- NEPA (EA and EIS) Document Preparation
- Site Safety Plans and Emergency Action Plans
- Community Relations Plans and Outreach Support
Preliminary Permit Planning
In
Alaska, permit requirements depend on the type of activity, the size of
the project and seasonal timing, but land ownership will also have a
major influence. Whether it is State, Federal, Native Corporation,
Borough or private land, each landowner has unique permitting
requirements specific to their properties. Government lands often come
with a second layer of requirements specific to regional designations
such as wildlife refuges, wilderness areas, wild and scenic rivers,
areas of critical environmental concern, parks, and land trusts.
Sub-designations provide a third layer of requirements for priority uses
related to wetlands, habitat, water rights, subsistence, hunting and
fishing and recreation. SolstenXP provides a preliminary permitting
matrix that outlines the permitting needs of a project and
explains the conditions under which they apply. A preliminary permitting
matrix can inform management regarding project risks, scheduling, and
costs to help management decide when and how to proceed with a project.
Permit Development
SolstenXP offers an opportunity to integrate project design and management with permitting. This optimizes the essential exchange of information between field operators, engineers and permitting personnel. This intra-office approach enables realistic, site appropriate permit applications and project proposals designed for reasonable and safe execution.
Ensuring Permit Compliance
SolstenXP’s permitting staff has worked in field operations and has hands-on experience managing environmental compliance for active projects. We use this expertise to design a compliance program that minimizes liabilities while operating under various permit stipulations.
Addressing Community and Stakeholder Concerns
Alaskan community and stakeholder concerns generally focus around potential environmental and subsistence impacts. Establishing a social license to operate is a function of responding respectfully to community concerns with easily understood information. SolstenXP’s environmental permitting staff has experience in successfully meeting with local communities on these issues. We often provide poster sessions, presentations, and newsletters to help project owners to connect with local neighbors and stakeholders.
Permitting Project Examples
- Aurora Exploration – Theodore River #1 and Chedatna Lakes #1 exploration wells
- PacRim Coal – Chuitna Coal Project draft permit review of supplemental EIS review
- TotalFinaElf - National Petroleum Reserve Alaska Caribou exploration wells
- Anadarko - Altamura #1, drilling and P&A
- BPXA - Trailblazer exploration well location and ice road in NPRA
- ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc. - Warthog #1 remote exploration well on the OCS in the Beaufort Sea
- Aurora Gas – Moquawkie, Long Lake, Nicolai Creek and Three Mile Creek development programs
- ExxonMobil - Point Thompson well remediation program