ConocoPhillips and Nuiqsut Strike Deal for Environmental Oversight

As ConocoPhillips moves forward with its Willow oil drilling project on Alaska’s North Slope, a new right-of-way agreement has been signed between the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the Nuiqsut Trilateral Inc., consisting of the Nuiqsut city government, tribal government, and Kuukpik Corp.

This agreement covers about 1 million acres surrounding Teshekpuk Lake, a crucial habitat for the Teshekpuk Caribou Herd. The deal prohibits certain activities and facilities within this protected area for the duration of Willow’s operations, set to begin production in 2029 at 180,000 barrels per day.

The Nuiqsut Trilateral Inc. has the option to waive restrictions, although this agreement does not introduce additional protections as the area is part of the designated Teshekpuk Lake Special Area with limited development. The arrangement was a community-led effort proposed by Kuukpik Corp. to offset potential impacts of the Willow Project on the caribou herd.

Despite initial objections from environmentalists and Nuiqsut’s governments, now part of Nuiqsut Trilateral Inc., Willow was approved by the Biden administration in March 2023. ConocoPhillips has since started production at smaller sites like Nuna, Fiord West Kuparuk, and Narwhal.

These developments underscore the delicate balance between oil extraction and environmental conservation in Alaska’s remote North Slope region.

Source
Photo credit alaskabeacon.com