Companies will pay 100,000 to communities near an exploratory well.

For every exploratory well fracked, the industry will contribute 100,000 to the local community.

Only one exploratory well has been drilled in the refuge's coastal plain and its results have not been made public.

At the time of the explosion the rig was drilling an exploratory well.

It was drilling a deep exploratory well, below sea level, in approximately of water.