Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Liard (Apr 28/00) - Chevron Canada Resources has nearly completed its pipeline tie-in project north of Fort Liard and hopes to begin flowing natural gas as early as May 2.

"We are at about two-thirds of the way through the clean-up component, the environmental restoration," said Charlie Stewart, Chevron's manager of external affairs.

He said the pipelines for Chevron's K-29 site and Ranger Oil's P-66 site are now both buried in the ground. The K-29 well is expected to have a 10-year life expectancy with a maximum production rate of 75 million cubic feet per day. It's calculated the well will reach that figure by the 10th day of operation as the project "ramps up."

The Acho Dene Koe will have two full-time operator positions with Chevron. They have made the same arrangement with Ranger Oil and Paramount Resources to ensure a total of six long-term jobs, said Shane Parrish, general manager of the Acho Dene Koe's ADK Holdings Ltd.

"That's a lot for us," he said, adding that although the spring season has resulted in a slower period, Beaver Enterprises will remain involved in pipeline tie-in work for Chevron's M-25 well. "It's been good. We're happy."

Heli-seismic work will be carried out beginning in May as well, he added.

Stewart said preparations for a tie-in project for M-25, another massive find, are expected to begin by June. Production from that well is expected during the fourth quarter of the year.

The Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board granted its approval of the M-25 project last year. A land-use permit, a water permit and the National Energy Board's approval have yet to be obtained, he said.

Although Chevron currently has no further natural gas exploration taking place, Stewart said a regional geophysical survey (seismic work), of northern B.C., the Yukon, and the "Fort Liard extension" is being conducted.

"What we're doing is just analyzing what might lie beyond Fort Liard. We've got no concrete plans for a well," he said.