Oil and Gas Seeps of the Puale Bay - Becharof Lake - Wide Bay Region, Northern Alaska Peninsula
Dates
Publication Date
2005-09
Start Date
1890
End Date
2005
File Modification Date
2014-05-22 11:36:00
Citation
Blodgett, R.B., and Clautice, K.H., 200509, Oil and Gas Seeps of the Puale Bay - Becharof Lake - Wide Bay Region, Northern Alaska Peninsula: State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS), http://dx.doi.org/10.14509/7189.
Summary
The east side of the northern Alaska Peninsula near Puale Bay and the Iniskin Peninsula of Lower Cook Inlet have long held interest to exploration geologists due to their well developed oil and gas seeps, which spurred on the first active exploration and drilling efforts for petroleum in Alaska. Several oil rushes occurred in the early part of 20th century, primarily in two phases (1902-1905 and 1922-1926) in the area of Puale Bay and Becharof Lake. Unfortunately all of these wells produced only traces of hydrocarbons. Several subsequent deeper wells were drilled in Mesozoic strata of this region and nearby Wide Bay to the south, but like the earlier efforts, did not prove to be economical. Each oil and gas seep from this region is [...]
Summary
The east side of the northern Alaska Peninsula near Puale Bay and the Iniskin Peninsula of Lower Cook Inlet have long held interest to exploration geologists due to their well developed oil and gas seeps, which spurred on the first active exploration and drilling efforts for petroleum in Alaska. Several oil rushes occurred in the early part of 20th century, primarily in two phases (1902-1905 and 1922-1926) in the area of Puale Bay and Becharof Lake. Unfortunately all of these wells produced only traces of hydrocarbons. Several subsequent deeper wells were drilled in Mesozoic strata of this region and nearby Wide Bay to the south, but like the earlier efforts, did not prove to be economical. Each oil and gas seep from this region is plotted on the map accompanying this report and their coordinates are listed in a table. Original published information concerning the seeps is reproduced. In addition, a single prominent solid hydrocarbon locality cited in the early literature is also discussed. Geochemical data is given for some of the seeps.
In light of the upcoming oil and gas lease sale in the Bristol Bay region October 26, 2005, the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) is undertaking an assessment of possible oil- and gas-bearing rocks on the Alaska Peninsula. Due to the renewed interest in this region, it was deemed necessary to compile a detailed listing of all proven oil and gas seeps in the area of Puale Bay, Becharof Lake, and Wide Bay, and plot their occurrences on a modern map base for use by petroleum explorationists.
