ConocoPhillips Alaska’s Nuna Project Produces First Oil
The Nuna Module, the first sea-lifted production module fabricated in Alaska for ConocoPhillips in more than twenty years, was delivered to drill site 3T this year.
Photo Credit: ConocoPhillips Alaska
First oil flowed from Nuna drill site 3T in the Kuparuk River Unit (KRU) on the North Slope on December 17. ConocoPhillips Alaska says the project was achieved ahead of schedule and under budget.
The Nuna project is the forty-ninth drill site developed within the KRU and is the first drill site developed in the Greater Kuparuk Area in nearly a decade.
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“We are thrilled to announce the first oil milestone from the Nuna project,” says Michelle Bundy, Nuna Project Integration Manager at ConocoPhillips Alaska. “This achievement is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our incredible team. Delivered ahead of schedule and under budget, the project showcases our commitment to safety and execution excellence. We couldn’t be prouder of the collaborative effort that made this milestone possible.”
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The Nuna project will add twenty-nine development wells, on-pad infrastructure, and pipelines that tie back to existing KRU processing facilities. Drilling at 3T began in September and is expected to continue for the next few years.
Operator Warren Cook and Satellites Development Supervisor Amy Rhodes had the honor of opening the valve for first oil inside the Nuna Single Production Module, ahead of schedule and under budget.
Photo Credit: ConocoPhillips Alaska
“From fabrication to first oil, the Nuna project’s milestones belong to Alaskans. The Nuna module was the first production module like this fabricated in-state in more than two decades and demonstrates ConocoPhillips’ commitment to Alaska. The fabrication took place right here in our backyard and was built by Alaskans,” says Erec Isaacson, president of ConocoPhillips Alaska. “Projects like Nuna create hundreds of in-state jobs, contribute to a stable local economy, and demonstrate the remarkable resource development potential Alaska’s legacy fields still have.”
So far in 2024, ConocoPhillips Alaska has invested more than $2 billion in Alaska projects and will continue to invest about $1 billion each year to grow Alaska legacy business with projects such as Nuna.
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We’re honored again this year to celebrate our partnership with Junior Achievement of Alaska, a nonprofit that educates local youth about enterprise, business, money, and financial literacy. In the special section, three Junior Achievement of Alaska students weigh in on their experience with the exceptional volunteers and teachers involved with the program.
And in Industry Support, we explore the range of varied services that industry in Alaska requires, from mancamps to spill response to off-grid energy solutions.
Outside the special sections, make sure to check out the 2026 Economic forecast, where Alaska leaders share their insights on what may lie ahead in the coming year. Enjoy!