ConocoPhillips Proposes New Alaska Drill Pad
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released a draft environmental impact statement for the CD8 drill site project.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Oil and Gas
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ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc. is moving forward with plans to develop a new drill pad, dubbed CD8, located within the existing Colville River unit. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has officially released a draft environmental impact statement for the proposal.
Why it matters
The project seeks to access subsurface resources in the Narwhal reservoir that remain unreachable from currently active drill sites. If approved, the expansion could significantly extend the operational life of the Colville River unit.
The proposed CD8 pad is located 2.1 miles east-northeast of Nuiqsut and aims to produce 93 million barrels of oil over 30 years. Colville River unit production reached an average of 30,028 barrels per day in August 2026, marking a 63.51% increase over August 2025.
The players
ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc.
This is a major energy corporation operating extensive oil and gas development projects across the North Slope of Alaska.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
This federal agency manages permitting processes for infrastructure projects that impact wetlands and navigable waters under the Clean Water Act.
Alaska Department of Natural Resources
This state agency oversees the management and development of land and resources belonging to the state of Alaska.
The details
The plan envisions the construction of 20 to 40 new wells within the 134,000-acre unit. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is currently hosting public open house meetings to collect feedback on the draft environmental impact statement before making a final decision.
Timeline
The Colville River unit was originally formed in 1998.
ConocoPhillips began the permitting process for the CD8 pad in early 2025.
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources approved the 28th plan of development on April 8, 2026.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released the draft environmental impact statement on October 16, 2026.
The company expects first oil production from the new site by 2030.
Market Landscape
The CD8 development follows federal regulatory frameworks, including requirements set forth by the Clean Water Act, to assess the impact of new industrial sites. This expansion mirrors broader industry efforts to maximize resource recovery in mature fields to offset natural production declines.
Residents of Nuiqsut may experience changes to local industrial activity as the federal review process continues. The project is designed to extend field life by up to 10 years, potentially sustaining regional employment and state revenue streams.
The takeaway
The proposed CD8 pad represents a significant long-term investment aimed at maintaining production levels in the Colville River unit. Industry participants should monitor the public comment process as it will ultimately determine the project timeline and feasibility.
Further reading
Learn more about energy development in the state by visiting our Alaska Oil and Gas section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Petroleum News.
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