National Petroleum Reserve — Alaska
Epoch Energy is exploring the North Slope of Alaska — one of the largest untapped energy reserves in the United States. We believe what lies beneath this land matters deeply to America's future.
NPR-A 2026 Lease Sale
On March 18, 2026, the Bureau of Land Management held the most significant NPR-A lease sale in over two decades — the first since 2019, raising a record $164.7 million. Epoch was among the successful bidders.
We secured 8 leases along the Colville River corridor — one of the most geologically prospective stretches of the entire reserve. Seven of our eight bids exceeded $1 million, with our top bid reaching $3.65 million.
Epoch now enters the exploration phase: detailed geological and seismic evaluation of our acreage. This is where the real science begins — and where Alex Cranberg's 30-year track record of successful exploration is most valuable.
In Alex's Words
Domestic energy is greater than foreign energy.
The argument that we're handing a lot of money to bad guys in other parts of the world — that's a very valid one. But it's an argument for more domestic production and more exploration in friendly countries, not less.
We essentially have found some of the largest energy resources in the world that were right underneath our noses the whole time. All we had to do was apply technology and develop the expertise.
About Epoch
Epoch Energy was founded by Alex Cranberg — the engineer and investor who built Aspect Energy into one of the most active independent exploration companies in the world. Epoch carries that same discipline and conviction into America's most promising domestic frontier: Alaska's North Slope.
Alaska is not a new territory for us. It is the logical next step for a company that has always believed the resources beneath American soil are worth fighting for — and that finding them responsibly is both an economic and a patriotic act.
We are currently in the exploration phase of our NPR-A leases: detailed seismic work, geological mapping, and the patient, rigorous science that great exploration always demands.
Alex Cranberg
Founder · Chairman, Aspect Holdings
Petroleum engineer by training (UT Austin, summa cum laude, 1977) and disciplined investor by calling (Stanford MBA, 1981), Alex has spent over four decades building energy enterprises across five continents. He founded Aspect Energy in 1993 and has drilled over 700 exploration wells in 15+ countries.
A vocal advocate for American energy independence, Alex took the stage at the 2025 National Conservatism Conference to argue that domestic energy supremacy is not merely a policy preference — it is a moral and strategic imperative for the United States.
Exploration Focus
Eight leases along the Colville River corridor, now in active geological and seismic evaluation. The Nanushuk Formation is our primary target — one of Alaska's most prolific producing intervals.
Primary Focus · Colville River · Nanushuk Formation
Monitoring Southcentral Alaska's historic offshore basin for future entry as project economics and federal access align with Epoch's exploration criteria.
Southcentral Alaska · Offshore
The foundation of Epoch's work — disciplined geological and engineering analysis applied to identify and develop hydrocarbon resources domestically and in friendly nations.
700+ Wells · 30+ Years
Alaska's Aleutian volcanic arc represents world-class geothermal potential. Epoch's subsurface expertise translates naturally into evaluating this baseload energy opportunity.
Ring of Fire · Aleutian Arc
Aspect Holdings has founded and backed technology-driven oilfield service companies that make exploration faster, safer, and more precise — capabilities that support our Alaska program.
Oilfield Services · Innovation
Through ACE Scholarships, Epoch is grounded in the belief that energy prosperity and human opportunity go hand in hand.
ACE Scholarships · 25,000+ Students
Get in Touch
We are in the early stages of an exciting exploration program on the North Slope. Whether you are a potential partner, capital source, or fellow explorer — we'd like to hear from you.