Tolsona Oil & Gas Exploration LLC, an Ahtna Inc. subsidiary, commenced drilling of exploration well Tolsona No. 1 on Sept. 29, in its hunt for natural gas in the Copper River Basin.
The well is located just north of Milepost 175 of the Glenn Highway, about 11.5 miles west of Glennallen. Company officials said they are targeting a depth of some 4,000 feet, an effort expected to take 26 days.
Resource development interest in the Copper River Basin dates back to the 1950s.
Over 500-miles of geophysical surveys have been conducted and 11 wildcat wells previously drilled. Past explorers encountered high-pressure water zones, but Ahtna said measures are now in place to help mitigate such issues.
According to Ahtna President Michelle Anderson, the 40-miles of 2D seismic exploration the company performed in 2014 showed positive data. “We have some exceptional talent working on this project and it’s inspiring to see the progression of the drilling program,” Anderson said.
