Oil Search (Alaska) LLC, Stirrup 2 Exploration Well Unit Plan of Operations Amendment

What is this notice about?

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas, received an application from Oil Search (Alaska), LLC to drill the Stirrup 2 exploration well in the Horseshoe Unit on the North Slope. The project would include a 24-mile ice road, an ice pad, staging pads, and one well that will be plugged and abandoned when work is done. The public can send written comments until 4:30 pm Alaska Daylight Time on November 1, 2026.

Why was this notice issued?

The Division of Oil and Gas received a Unit Plan of Operations application from Oil Search (Alaska), LLC on September 23, 2026. The application will be decided under Alaska Statute (AS) 38.05 and Alaska Administrative Code 11 AAC 83.158, and the Division is giving public notice and a chance to comment.

What action is being taken?

The Division is reviewing a request to approve drilling and exploration activities in the Horseshoe Unit. This would move the project to the Exploration Phase described in the Horseshoe Unit Plan of Development. The work includes building a 24-mile ice road from Drillsite 2P (off the existing Tarn-Meltwater Road) to the Stirrup 2 well location, an ice pad, staging pads, and drilling one surface hole that will be plugged and abandoned when complete. Stirrup 2 is about 28 miles southwest of the Nanushuk Operations Pad.

Who is involved: Oil Search (Alaska), LLC (OSA), the applicant

How can the public respond?

Respond by Sun, Nov 1, 2026 This deadline has passed.

“4:30 pm, Alaska Daylight Time, November 1, 2026”

Ways to respond

Email dog.permitting@alaska.gov
Mail Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas, Permitting Section, 550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1100, Anchorage, AK 99501

What to include

All comments must be in writing and received by the deadline. Project ID: LONS 26-003. The application package can be reviewed at the Division's Permitting Section, 550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1100, Anchorage, AK 99501, or online at http://dog.dnr.alaska.gov/Newsroom. Anyone who sends written comments will get a copy of the final decision. An eligible person affected by the decision may appeal or ask the commissioner to reconsider under 11 AAC 02.

Contact

Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas, Permitting Section
dog.permitting@alaska.gov
550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1100, Anchorage, AK 99501

Will there be public meetings?

The notice does not announce any public meeting or hearing.

Key dates

Sep 23, 2026: Division of Oil and Gas received the Unit Plan of Operations application from Oil Search (Alaska), LLC
Oct 9, 2026: Public notice published
Nov 1, 2026: Written comment deadline, 4:30 pm Alaska Daylight Time

Original notice text

PUBLIC NOTICE Oil Search (Alaska), LLC, Horseshoe Unit, Stirrup 2 Exploration Program, Unit Plan of Operations Application The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas (Division) received a Unit Plan of Operations application on September 23, 2026, from Oil Search (Alaska), LLC requesting to conduct drilling and exploration activities within the Horseshoe Unit on the North Slope. The proposed project will be adjudicated under AS 38.05 and 11 AAC 83.158. The Division provides public notice and an opportunity to comment. Applicant: OSA (see application for contact information) Project ID: LONS 26-003 Location: Stirrup 2 is approximately 28 miles southwest of Nanushuk Operations Pad (see application for MTRS) Project Description: The Division of Oil and Gas received the attached Unit Plan of Operations Application from Oil Search (Alaska), LLC requesting authorization to conduct drilling and exploration activities within the Horseshoe Unit. This is an application to proceed to the Exploration Phase as described in the Horseshoe Unit Plan of Development. OSA requests to drill the Stirrup 2 Appraisal Well via building an ice road from the existing Tarn-Meltwater Road and laying an ice pad for exploration activities. Activities include a 24-mile-long ice road from Drillsite 2P to the Stirrup 2 well location, ice pad, staging pads, and one surface hole that will be plug and abandoned when complete. The application package is available for review at the Division’s Permitting Section, 550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1100, Anchorage, AK 99501, or online at http://dog.dnr.alaska.gov/Newsroom. Please send comments to dog.permitting@alaska.gov or to the Division address above. All comments must be in writing. A copy of the final decision will be sent to any person who provides written comments. An eligible person affected by this decision may appeal or request the commissioner’s reconsideration in accordance with 11 AAC 02. All comments must be received by the comment deadline: 4:30 pm, Alaska Daylight Time, November 1, 2026

This summary was written by an AI model (Claude) from the official notice text. This is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm deadlines and instructions in the official notice. Legal disclaimer.