Taking or Importing of Marine Mammals: Hilcorp Alaska, LLC Oil and Gas Activities in Cook Inlet, AK
Summary
This regulation allows Hilcorp Alaska to conduct oil and gas drilling operations in Cook Inlet while following specific rules to protect marine mammals like whales and sea otters. The rules set limits on activities that might harm these animals and require the company to monitor and report any impacts.
Key Points
- 1Hilcorp Alaska receives permission to drill for oil and gas in Cook Inlet, but must follow strict guidelines to minimize harm to marine animals
- 2The company must monitor and report any marine mammals that are killed, injured, or disturbed by their operations
- 3There are limits on the timing and methods of drilling activities to protect marine mammals during critical seasons like breeding and migration
- 4Hilcorp must use safety measures like sound barriers and lookouts to avoid striking whales and other sea mammals
- 5Federal regulators will oversee compliance and can shut down operations if the company violates the rules or causes excessive harm to wildlife
Impact Assessment
If you are an energy company conducting oil and gas operations in Cook Inlet, this means you must implement monitoring protocols, activity restrictions, and reporting requirements to minimize harm to marine mammals, increasing operational costs and regulatory oversight.
State-specific
Significant
Key Dates
February 20, 2026
Regulatory Connections
This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.