Santos CEO Kevin Gallagher speaks via a video message at the Alaska Oil and Gas Association’s conference on Aug. 29, 2024, at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage. (Photo by Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)
The leader of an Australia-based company advancing one of two major upcoming North Slope oil projects said the development is mostly complete and on track to be producing oil in less than two years.
Kevin Gallagher, the managing director and CEO of Santos, said the Pikka project is nearly 60% complete, with more than 40 miles of pipeline installed. He spoke by video at the Alaska Oil and Gas Association’s conference in Anchorage.
“Our results to date are consistent with predrill expectations,” he said. He expects the project to be sending 8,000 barrels of oil down the Trans Alaska Pipeline System by the first half of 2026. Pikka is one of two major projects — along with Willow, being developed by ConocoPhillips — that the state expects to raise Alaska oil production.
Gallagher said the company created 2,200 well-paid jobs in the past winter construction season. And he said there are more than 225 people working in the company’s new office in downtown Anchorage.