It's how we identify and map the prospects we're interested in. Onshore seismic acquisition on the North Slope occurs only during the winter after the federal, state and local governments issue permits authorizing tundra travel. Tundra travel doesn't begin until the tundra is frozen and there is six inches of snow cover. We use specialized low-impact tundra travel vehicles which weigh more than 10 tons. However, the tracks are long and wide, spreading the pressure over a large area . . .
Onshore exploration is conducted only in the winter.
We use ice roads to move drilling rigs, camps, men and material to remote locations. We build ice roads with water from lakes chosen with the assistance of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The volume taken from each lake is determined based on water depth and whether a lake contains fish. Ice roads are generally six inches thick. It's not unusual for us to build 60 to 70 miles of ice road a year to support remote drilling operations.