Australian energy company Santos has commenced seawater injection operations at Nanushuk Drillsite-B of the Pikka oil project on Alaska’s North Slope.
The company reported that the seawater treatment plant began exporting water that met required specifications on 18 August into the nearly 75km-long pipeline running from the Beaufort Sea to the project site.
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Injection into the reservoir started on 26 August and, following testing, current injection levels have reached around 40,000 barrels per day (bpd).
The water injection process is intended to provide pressure support to the reservoir, a critical factor in the project’s plan to achieve and maintain plateau production of roughly 80,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) by the end of the third quarter of 2026.
Santos said continuous production at the Pikka project began in June 2026.
Wells in operation are currently producing around 40,000bopd (gross). The company plans to bring further production wells online safely over the coming weeks with the water injection system now operational.
Santos managing director and CEO Kevin Gallagher said: “Seawater injection is a critical step in unlocking Pikka’s production capacity. With pressure support now established and wells coming online progressively, we continue to target plateau production rates at the end of the third quarter of 2026.
“Pikka is a world-class asset and seawater injection, together with continued efficient drilling and operations, keeps us firmly on track to deliver its full potential.”
Santos operates the Pikka oil project with a 51% interest, while Repsol holds the remaining 49%.
The operation has involved collaboration with contractors, the State of Alaska, Alaska Native corporations and local communities.
Santos became the operator of the Pikka field after acquiring Oil Search in December 2021. The field was previously jointly owned by Oil Search, Armstrong Oil and Gas, GMT Exploration and Repsol.
Oil Search increased its share in the project in June 2019 through acquisitions from Armstrong Oil and Gas and GMT Exploration.
In July this year, Santos confirmed the sale and export of the first condensate cargo from the Barossa gas project in the Timor Sea.
