Approval Granted for Northstar Unit Operation on North Slope, Alaska, by University of Illinois
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a new Underground Injection Control (UIC) permit for the Northstar Unit located on the North Slope of Alaska's Arctic Circle. The permit, identified as AK1I002-C, is effective from September 18, 2020, to September 17, 2030.
The permit, available as a PDF document, allows BP Exploration Alaska Inc., the owner of the Class I injection wells at the Northstar facility, to operate these wells for the injection of non-hazardous industrial waste. The permit document, weighing 243.61 KB, was published on September 21, 2020, and can be found on relevant websites.
The permit does not specify any new regulations or conditions beyond those previously stated. It authorizes the use of up to two Class I injection wells, as per the earlier statement. The permit does not mark a renewal or amendment of an existing permit but is a new document.
It is important to note that the current operator of the Northstar Unit is Hilcorp Alaska, LLC. This company has been operating the unit since earlier statements, and the permit does not affect this arrangement.
The Northstar Unit, with its injection wells, is subject to the UIC regulations to ensure the protection of underground sources of drinking water. The EPA's issuance of this permit underscores its commitment to maintaining safety and environmental standards in Alaska's oil and gas operations.
