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The unconventional conventional play

June 22, 2014

At a recent public information session Northern Cross President Richard Wyman emphasized the company’s drilling program in north Yukon at Eagle Plain was conventional in nature, ie. does not involve ‘fracking’. True enough, but aside from the drilling technique, the activities are unconventional in other respects.

Northern Cross (Yukon) Limited (Northern Cross) was incorporated under the laws of the Yukon Territory on September 19, 1994. The company notes that “Industry has drilled 34 wells to date in the Eagle Plain area. Most wells were drilled to a depth of between 1,500 metres and 3,000 metres. The majority of this drilling occurred during the late 1950s and the early 1970s. Northern Cross (Yukon) Ltd. is using new geological and geophysical interpretation and modern exploration concepts to assess resource opportunities that have not been evaluated in the past at Eagle Plain.”

Northern Cross has plans to drill up to 20 conventional wells in the Eagle Plain area over the next few years, looking for both oil and natural gas. The company has spent $100M over the years in exploration expenditures.

Interestingly, the technology has changed a great deal over the years. The old seismic lines were just bulldozed across the tundra in a wide straight line. The new lines are much narrower and crooked, ie. they have a much smaller ‘footprint’ than in the old days. The company takes pains to minimize its impact on the environment in all ways, including using already existing seismic lines. It also uses mats and carefully monitors its processes.

The ways that Northern Cross’s drilling program is ‘unconventional’ would include:

The benefits to the Yukon could be substantial, including good-paying jobs, supplier contracts and general economic activity. 

 

Commentary

Northern Cross needs to prove up significant reserves in order to contemplate commercial development. The company is being very forthright in its plans and has done a great job in engaging the community.
Good luck in the exploration.

Sources

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Source: Northern Cross website