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Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Near the Village of Nuiqsut, Alaska (2014-2023)

A study began in February 2014 to determine if VOC concentrations could be detected in the ambient air in and near Nuiqsut, Alaska. An additional study objective was to evaluate the sampling methodology performance in the arctic environment and the logistics of transporting samples to the laboratory per the required quality parameters.

VOC samples were collected adjacent to the Nuiqsut ambient air quality and meteorological monitoring station and at the CPAI-operated CD4 drilling pad and sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis to determine VOC content.

A follow-up, longer term VOC sampling program (monthly sampling) was developed and implemented beginning in April 2014 to refine and improve confidence in future sampling events and to provide an expanded set of VOC data to better understand the potential for VOC impacts near and in the village of Nuiqsut. VOC sampling in Anchorage, adjacent to the ConocoPhillips Building, was added to the program in June 2015 to provide data for comparison to an urban environment. Sampling at CD4 was discontinued in April 2017 because activities at the pad slowed. New sampling was initiated at the CD1 pad in its place as that location provides a more representative location for assessing impacts at an active oilfield facility. During the 2018 Exploration Drilling campaign, additional accelerated sampling frequency was conducted adjacent to Putu 2 drilling activities and in the village of Nuiqsut. Monthly sampling was suspended after March 2020 because of travel restrictions put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Monthly sampling resumed in December 2020.

Additionally, ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc. (CPAI) has operated an ambient air quality and dispersion meteorology monitoring station in Nuiqsut, Alaska, which is located on the Alaskan North Slope. The Nuiqsut monitoring program is designed to collect ambient air quality data for the primary Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified criteria pollutants: Carbon Monoxide (CO); Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2); Ozone (O3); Particulate Matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 microns (PM10); Particulate Matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5); and Sulfur Dioxide (SO2). A link to ambient air quality reports is provided below.

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
ISO Topics climatologyMeteorologyAtmosphere
Primary Contact CPAI Environmental Studies Coordinator (n1798@conocophillips.com)
Primary Organization SLR International Corp.
Funding Organizations CPAI
Organization Types Industry and Consultants
Geo-keywords North Slope
Created March 13, 2022, 19:26 (AKDT)
Last Updated May 15, 2024, 13:00 (AKDT)