APA Will Drill Two North Slope Wells This Winter
The company’s $70 million acquisition of infrastructure aims to accelerate exploration and appraisal drilling in Alaska.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Oil and Gas
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APA Alaska will drill one exploration well and one appraisal well on the North Slope during the 2026-2027 winter season. The program follows a $70 million agreement to acquire Savant Alaska LLC, which provides control over key production infrastructure.
Why it matters
Securing control of existing facilities is a strategic move to define the scale of the Sockeye discovery and improve operational efficiency. By streamlining midstream access, operators can significantly lower the cost-per-well and accelerate project timelines in remote basins.
The deal includes the Badami production facility with a 40,000-barrel-per-day design capacity and the Nutaaq Pipeline, which handles 80,000 barrels per day. APA now holds 487,000 gross acres on the eastern North Slope to support its two-well winter drilling program.
The players
APA Alaska
An energy exploration and production company managing significant acreage and drilling operations on the North Slope.
Savant Alaska LLC
An oil and gas operator whose assets include the Badami production facility and the Nutaaq Pipeline.
Alaska Department of Natural Resources
The state agency responsible for managing land use, permitting, and resource development on public lands.
The details
The acquisition of Savant Alaska LLC allows APA to integrate the Badami infrastructure into its broader drilling strategy. To reach exploration sites during the winter, the company has proposed a temporary ice road system, with preliminary surveys and equipment placement already conducted by helicopter. This seasonal approach to state land use allows for heavy transport during months when the tundra is protected by freeze.
Timeline
APA reached a deal to purchase Savant Alaska LLC on June 10, 2026.
The application for a multi-year land use pass was submitted on June 12, 2026.
Expected closing of the Savant acquisition is set for late 2026.
The two-well drilling program is scheduled for the winter of 2026-2027.
Market Landscape
This program aligns with the standard North Slope development cycle, which relies heavily on ice road construction to move heavy equipment across state land. It reflects a broader trend of operators consolidating regional infrastructure to maximize the economic viability of smaller exploration prospects.
Operators in the region should monitor the pending closure of the Savant acquisition in late 2026 as a signal for potential midstream capacity shifts. Reviewing upcoming state land use decisions remains critical for those relying on shared logistical infrastructure during the winter season.
The takeaway
The successful execution of winter drilling relies on early-season surveying and efficient land use permitting. Operators should ensure their logistics and ice road management plans are finalized well before the winter window closes to maintain project schedules.
Further reading
For more on industry infrastructure and exploration trends, visit the Oil and Gas section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Petroleum News.
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