Yukon Flats Exploration

When Doyon, Limited was established, early leaders, and village leaders focused on selecting lands for local and traditional uses, historical-cultural sites, and economic potential through natural resource development that could provide employment, training, and contracting for villages and Doyon. 

Doyon’s early leaders, in partnership with Beaver, Birch Creek, Chalkyitsik, Circle, and Fort Yukon leaders focused on allocating 400,000 plus acres of Doyon’s land entitlement within the Yukon Flats region for oil and gas potential that had been identified in the 1970s. Land agreements were signed to focus on providing this benefit and to accommodate for more local land use for a project. The specific land types in this allocation were lands that could have been equally distributed to all Doyon villages throughout the Interior, so the partnership was an integral collaborative effort. 

To continue building on over 50 years of history, in 2019, Doyon and  Hilcorp Alaska signed an agreement for exploration on 1.6 million acres of Doyon land in the Yukon Flats subregion. 

Of that initial exploration area, roughly only three percent (or less than 60,000 acres) was selected by Hilcorp for continued exploration in 2024. Hilcorp’s expectation is to confine future activity to a focused area in Birch Creek. That area is currently less than five acres total across two project sites and a staging location – roughly the size of a few football fields – which is a minor fraction of the initial lease exploration area. Further work by Hilcorp in the remaining subregion would require re-engagement between Doyon and Hilcorp. Doyon has worked with Hilcorp to ensure no limitations on subsistence activities near the project sites.

Economic Benefits and Job Opportunities

The Yukon Flats exploration project has strong support in the region, including Birch Creek, the community immediately adjacent to the project, and from Alaska Native leaders across the state. The Yukon Flats exploration project will create jobs for generations of Doyon shareholders and benefit the region’s economy in the long-term. In addition:

  • Could strengthen the economy of the region, with the potential to increase the Upper Yukon’s employment base by up to 15%. Will enhance Alaska Native self-determination, allowing us to invest in our communities and create the economic engine to enhance our journey to self-determination.

  • Provide our communities with the economic empowerment to support our schools, health care, infrastructure, and more—and provide us with financial support to ensure that our culture aligns with the long-term goals of our communities.

  • Provide us with the revenues needed to preserve our cultures and communities. From the preservation of Alaska Native languages, traditions, and cultural practices, our communities are reliant on communities that can sustain themselves and future generations.


History of the Yukon Flats exploration

Doyon’s interest in oil and gas in the subregion predates the selection of Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971 lands in the area. In 1974, only two years after its incorporation, Doyon signed a series of land selection agreements among Birch Creek, Beaver, Chalkyitsik, Circle, and Fort Yukon village corporations to maximize Indigenous lands selections. These agreements resulted in 400,000 extra acres of ANCSA lands in the Yukon Flats.

These agreements were signed for potential oil and gas opportunities, and to provide additional Native land for traditional activities. The purpose of these agreements was to maximize economic benefits from the oil and gas industry and mitigate possible impacts with an additional private land base for traditional subsistence activities.

Our early leadership made thoughtful land selections guided by an understanding of resource potential, traditional use, and community needs. These selections were rooted in creating jobs, supporting regional economies, and ensuring long-term benefits for Doyon and our village corporations through responsible natural resource management. This foundation has positioned us to capitalize on today’s opportunities.

To view or download a timeline from the 1970s to today, and to learn more about the Yukon Flats exploration project, click here.

Exploration process

From 2019 to 2024, exploration tests and surveys were completed while adhering to the strict environmental regulations and timing restrictions negotiated by Doyon regarding subsistence activities. Plans for specific activities for the remainder of 2024 and 2025 are still in progress, but Hilcorp and Doyon will continue providing regular status updates to leaders in the region. Hilcorp anticipates the planning and engineering phase will be active until late winter or early spring 2025. Overwinter 2024-2025, Hilcorp is intentionally anchoring a barge in position of Birch Creek with low current and an even bottom. With the barge landing in close proximity to the project sites, this will enable operational efficiency in spring 2025 and beyond when the currently planned development of two drill sites begins.

 The Yukon Flats exploration project will operate under the strictest regulations in the country. Doyon will remain focused on the balance of responsible resource development and protecting the resources our people rely on. Hilcorp is engaged in a robust permitting and approval process with state and federal agencies, as well as Doyon, which will continue well into 2025, ensuring that all required permits are submitted to ensure robust contingency planning, minimal environmental and subsistence impacts, and a transparent process. 

Environmental Standards and Permitting Processes

Doyon’s mission is to balance the social and economic well-being of our shareholders while also protecting and enhancing our lands and resources for generations to come. From subsistence to our salmon, Doyon has a responsibility to care for the lands our ancestors lived on. We are committed to this mission and note that this project is intentionally built away from wetlands or tributaries to ensure that we protect our waters.

Alaska and the U.S. have the most stringent resource development environmental standards in the world, and development only occurs after rigorous permitting and studies that ensure minimal impact to the environment. Doyon remains engaged with local stakeholders – including the people of Birch Creek, the nearest community to the project – to ensure their questions are being directed to and answered by Hilcorp.

Information regarding water usage:

  • Water usage for the project would be used to maintain continuous operations without delays, manage unforeseen challenges effectively, and uphold safety and environmental standards.
  • Hilcorp has submitted a permit through the Alaska Division of Natural Resources requesting up to 800,000 gallons from Birch Creek seasonally or annually with a maximum (and unlikely) daily withdrawal of 600,000 gallons – less than the total amount of water in an Olympic swimming pool.
  • Additional water resources from a nearby lake are also going through the proper permitting protocols.
  • Water withdrawal permitting also requires Hilcorp to coordinate with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) to obtain a Fish Habitat Permit (FHP). The purpose of this permit is to mitigate impacts on resident and anadromous fish species.

Requested volumes are intentionally more than required for site operations, in case of unforeseen circumstances. Most importantly – in accordance with state and federal regulations – water used for operations, along with used mud and cuttings, will be stored in tanks on-site and then transported offsite for disposal. There is no discharge into Yukon Flats waterways.

Additional permitting updates will be provided on an ongoing basis.

Doyon remains dedicated to responsible resource development, environmental stewardship, and open communication with our shareholders and communities.

All necessary permits have been obtained in compliance with state and federal regulations. The agencies engaged with throughout Hilcorp’s permitting process include:

  • Federal Permitting:
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
  • State Historic Properties Office (SHPO)
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • State Permitting
  • Alaska Department of Natural Resources (ADNR)
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G)
  • Fish Habitat Permits
  • Public Safety Permit and Wildlife Interaction Plan
  • Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
  • Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (AOGCC)
  • Alaska Department of Public Safety

Land Composition

Sedimentary basins like those found within Doyon lands are closely linked with potential oil and gas deposits. Doyon manages under-explored basins with the potential for major fields, including the Minto-Nenana Basin and the Yukon Flats Basin.

Decades of data gathering, seismic surveys, analyses of the lands, exploration programs, and more have occurred.

The sites of the Yukon Flats exploration project are located in the Yukon Flats subregion of Interior Alaska, about 150 miles north of Fairbanks and 25 to 90 miles from existing roads and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.

Click here to view or download information about the land composition of the project and data gathering efforts over the decades.

Resources/materials

For more information, contact the Lands and Natural Resources Department at
907-459-2030, 1-888-478-4755 ext. 2030,  lands@doyon.com, or the Communications Department at 907-459-2097, 1-888-478-4755 ext. 2097,  communications@doyon.com.