Husky Energy applies to frack exploratory wells in N.W.T.

Husky Energy has applied to drill and frack up to four horizontal wells in the Sahtu region of the N.W.T.

The Calgary-based company plans to start the work later this year and complete it by 2018.

The area Husky wants to explore is adjacent to land ConocoPhillips drilled and fracked on this winter.

Conoco's project was the first horizontal drilling and fracking project in the N.W.T. It provoked some controversy when it was approved with the minimal review required by law.

Paul Dixon, executive director of the Sahtu Land and Water Board, says Sahtu organizations and others can ask for an environmental assessment.

"The board is just one group that can send an application to an environmental assessment, the other ones being the territorial and federal governments and any of their organizations or agencies, or a community government where it's directly affecting an area of that community, or SSI, which is the Sahtu Tribal Council."

The deadline for comments on Husky's applications to the SahtuLand and Water Boardis April 28.