NANA
Methane seeps in the NANA region
A
s resource developers were looking
for oil and other natural resources in
Alaska in the 1950s, stories started
to emerge of natural gas under pressure
in the area that would become the NANA
region. Exploration efforts for resources
during this time were not focused on
development of natural gas, so they weren’t
investigated further. In April, NANA's
Natural Resources department travelled to
communities in the region to gather lo cal
knowledge of possible methane and oil seeps.
Methane seeps, or puvlaks, can be identified
by holes in the ice that don’t freeze over until
late winter, or by bubbles in the ice. Both
of these surface features are caused by the
release of natural gas from below permafrost.
Elders in Noorvik and Buckland shared
stories from when they were younger that
fit the description of a seep. Using these
stories and a map, communities identified
many locations of potential seeps. a location is found and confirmed, it will
have to be studied to see how viable it is as a
source of energy for regional communities.
If enough natural gas exists at a location,
sub-permafrost methane could be a potential
source of local energy in the future through
new technology that could help NANA
capture the natural gas released from a seep.
Like with all resource development, once If you want to share location information
about potential methane seeps or to share
stories and observations regarding potential
seeps, please contact Anausuk Janelle
Sharp at [email protected], or call
907-265-3716. ■
BE PART OF A REGIONAL ENERGY SOLUTION
repo r t me th a n e s e e p s
EXA M PLES O F M E T H A N E S E E P S
NANA wants you to: What smells bad?
Report any methane leaks you see so Natural
Resources staff can investigate their energy
generating potential. Air around methane seeps can be smelly due to
their release of methane gas. They smell like sewer
or rotten eggs.
Po s s i b l e S e e p L o ca t i o n s
Kobuk Delta
Kotzebue Peninsula
Here’s what to look for: Be careful!
Circular holes form in the ice as the lakes freeze over.
These holes eventually freeze by midwinter, then are the
first to thaw in the spring. Methane gas is highly flammable! Make sure you
don’t have any open flames around the seeps.
What is a methane seep?
Methane (CH4) is also called “natural gas.” It is a
naturally occurring chemical compound that can be
used as a source of energy. Natural leakage of
methane from traps in Northwest Alaska can be
collected for energy use with limited processing,
and could be used to power local communities and
facilities.
Report a methane seep
to NANA
Northern Seward Peninsula
Janelle Sharp
Environmental Technician,
NANA Regional Corporation Inc.
[email protected]
(907)265-3716
Lance Miller, Ph.D.
Vice President of Resources,
NANA Regional Corporation Inc.
[email protected]
(907)265-4360
Aerial Photo
of a Seep
5m (16.4 ft.)
Aerial photos of seep hole in
Mackenzie Delta, Northwest
Territories of Canada. Hole
has diameter of
approximately 5m (16.4 ft.).
United States Coast Guard
Admiral visits region
In April, United States Coast Guard (USCG)
Admiral McAllister met with regional
leadership in Northwest Alaska. McAllister
is the new Rear Admiral for District 17
Command (Alaska/Arctic) and Pacific
Area Commander. In 2013, USCG opened
a Forward Operation Location (FOL) in
Kotzebue, Alaska, in preparation for the
increase of maritime activities in the Bering
Strait and Arctic Seas. The FOL crews
conduct search and rescue, law enforcement
patrols and homeland security missions to
protect mariners and the United States.
“This was a great opportunity to welcome
in the next leader of the Coast Guard’s
operations in Arctic and share what
opportunities we see to support safe
maritime transportation and national
security,” said Qaulluq Liz Cravalho, senior
director of Community & Government
Affairs at NANA. “Part of NANA’s business
strategy is to strengthen the defense of the
opening American Arctic. As an Arctic
region, Northwest Alaska’s geographic
position provides the nation with a strategic
point in which to defend the country.
We are excited to work with Admiral
McAllister on national security priorities.”
NANA staff, along with the City of Kotzebue,
travelled with Adm. McAllister out to
Cape Blossom via snow machine to view
ringed seals and herds of caribou on the ice
migrating north. The group also visited the
mouth of the Noatak River to explain the
importance of subsistence activities like ice
fishing for sii fish. The NANA team used
the opportunity to discuss the timing of
subsistence activities with the Coast Guard.
USCG District 17’s objectives for summer
2016 are to perform missions and activities
in the Arctic, enhance Arctic maritime
Admiral McAllister was escorted out to Cape Blossom via snow machine to view wildlife and experience the
importance of subsistence activities in the region. (l to r) USCG Rear Admiral Abel, Admiral McAllister, and
Kotzebue Fire Chief Sean Ralston.
domain awareness, broaden partnerships,
and enhance and improve preparedness,
prevention, and response capabilities.
For more information about Coast
Guard operations and activities,
please visit their information site at
www.d17.uscgnews.com or blog site at
www.alaska.coastguard.dodlive.mil. ■
HUNTER 2016 MAY / JUNE
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