BP: More challenges than a few years ago 11/29/2009
Minge tells RDC BP's 50-year Alaska strategy a dream, not a promise; cost structure threatens light oil; costs up 4 times oil price
BP has talked in recent years about the company's 50-year future in Alaska. But that strategy is "a dream: It's not a promise," BP Exploration (Alaska) President John Minge told the Resource Developm...

The winds of change in Arctic Alaska 08/30/2009
Politicians seek views on future Arctic policies in the face of climate change, industrial development and environmental protection
As the Arctic warms, the summer sea ice retreats and evolving weather patterns disrupt communities in northern Alaska, opinions on how to respond to the changes sweeping across the northernmost part o...

Anchorage mayor forms energy task force 08/09/2009
Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan has created a task force to address a looming energy crisis. "We look to this blue-ribbon task force to address both immediate and long-term energy needs, including makin...

Gas shortage stirs pols 08/09/2009
Governor, mayor, senator seek energy security as CI natural gas runs low
Alaska political leaders are seizing on what's fast becoming a burning issue: the potential for electric power or heating outages this winter in the state's population center as supplies of Cook Inlet...

New ship to support Shell drilling 06/21/2009
dison Chouest vessel to handle anchors for Arctic offshore rig, provide 100 jobs, feature many environmental safeguards
Because of pending court challenges, Shell is having a heck of a time getting its offshore drilling campaign under way in the Arctic Ocean off Alaska. But the company continues making big investments...

BP plans spending cuts, but not a lot 05/24/2009
BP planning for $50 oil; Pioneer focused on Alaska developments during low price environment; Shell planning new anchor handler, companies tell annual Alaska Oil and Gas Association meet
BP isn't planning any major cuts this year in response to lower oil prices. "We're probably not going to spend next year as much as we thought, but it's not a major change. We're going to be okay. We'...

State takes comments on risk assessment 05/17/2009
Citizen watchdog groups question scope and method of project to measure the risk to oil and gas infrastructure across Alaska
As the state works to create a model for measuring the risks threatening oil and gas infrastructure in Alaska, some are worried the scope of the project isn't broad enough. A contractor with the Depar...

ExxonMobil spuds well at Point Thomson 05/17/2009
While this season's work under way, settlement needed with state says Exxon's Craig Haymes, so 2014 production won't be delayed
Actual drilling has begun at Point Thomson. "ExxonMobil informed my administration that, at 2:30 a.m. today, drilling operations began," Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin said in a May 8 statement. Craig Hayme...

Salazar opens door (slightly) on ANWR 03/22/2009
Says directional drilling might resolve issue of surface disturbance, but wants to see more information about the technology
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar on March 16 said he would consider tapping oil from the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge if it can be done from outside the boundaries of the North S...

Coastal districts want ACMP control 02/22/2009
Administration, industry oppose plan to establish coastal policy board with authority to approve district management plans
The Alaska Coastal Management Program is back in the Alaska Legislature - and at least one legislator, Rep. John Harris, R-Valdez, who went through the major rewrite of the program in 2003, is not hap...

State trying to lift the industry veil 02/15/2009
Alaska is looking for a way to get the oil industry to share confidential information in order to craft a risk assessment
The state is trying to coax major players in the oil industry to hand over confidential material needed to complete a risk assessment of oil and gas infrastructure in Alaska. The problem is figuring o...

AOGCC considers regulation change 01/18/2009
The Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is considering a change to its regulations that would require companies to inform the commission before installing or altering certain equipment used for...

The Explorers 2008: Other explorers keep pressing forward 11/23/2008
Despite many challenges, tiny companies continue to prep drilling programs across the state
High operating costs, remote locations and extensive regulations and bonding requirements can make Alaska a challenge for smaller independent oil and gas companies, but that doesn't always stop them f...

The Explorers 2008: ConocoPhillips searching near and far 11/23/2008
Biggest producer in Alaska focusing exploration on NPR-A and Chukchi, while pursuing gas pipeline
In its ongoing effort to develop the resources of northern Alaska, ConocoPhillips has embraced westward expansion with a dual approach: big leaps and tiny steps. On the one hand, the Houston-based me...

Shell, Conoco to innovate in Chukchi 11/16/2008
Shell's three-year seismic program may be largest exploration program company has shot; ConocoPhillips investigating jack-ups
Extensive seismic and planning for offshore drilling and development were two topics addressed by Shell and ConocoPhillips Oct. 29 at the United States and Canada Northern Oil and Gas Research Forum....

Cook Inletkeeper wants DEC hearing 11/09/2008
The environmental advocacy organization objects to state certification of discharges from Cook Inlet oil and gas production
In an ongoing challenge to the permitting of discharges into Cook Inlet from oil and gas facilities, Cook Inletkeeper has asked the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation to hold a public hea...

Impact of bruin listing still in limbo 09/28/2008
Legal, regulatory tangle obscures potential effect of "threatened" designation for polar bears on Alaska's resource industries
Four months after U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne listed the polar bear as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act, the issue has become a legal and regulatory tangle, leaving the impact...

Mining News: Alaskans say 'No' to unclear measure 08/31/2008
57 percent of voters reject Ballot Measure 4; anti-Pebble group returns focus to stopping copper-gold-molybdenum mine
The majority of Alaska voters followed the lead of their governor the August 26 primary, turning down Ballot Measure 4 at polling booth by a margin of nearly three to two. When Gov. Sarah Palin took...

State could earn $10B plus from oil this year 07/06/2008
New AOGA report looks at the role oil plays in employment, wages and charitable giving; updates, expands figures from 2000
The State of Alaska most likely earned more than $10 billion this fiscal year from oil and gas operations, according to a new look at the role of the industry in the state economy. The revenue figure...

Oil Patch Insider 07/06/2008
Sheffield to lead AOGA for 2008-09; Craig Bieber novel 'Saylor's Triangle' makes Anchorage debut
The Alaska Oil and Gas Association named Ken Sheffield, president of Pioneer Natural Resources Alaska Inc., as its new president, effective July 1. The association's other officers are first vice pre...

AOGA annual luncheon set June 30 06/22/2008
The Alaska Oil and Gas Association will hold its annual luncheon on Monday, June 30, featuring the presentation of a new look at the role oil and gas plays in the economy of Alaska. The luncheon will...

Kempthorne lists polar bear as threatened 05/18/2008
Interior secretary accepts scientific studies on loss of sea ice as threat to polar bears; says Endangered Species Act inflexible
Citing "the best available science" and the inflexibility of the Endangered Species Act, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne said May 14 that he has accepted the recommendation of the U.S. Fish...

Conoco agrees to process Oooguruk oil 03/02/2008
Historic deal gives Texas independent access to Kuparuk facilities; Crockett says could open door to other North Slope explorers
After several months of silence, the first independent operator in northern Alaska and the largest oil producer in the state have signed a precedent-setting, North Slope facilities sharing agreement,...

Oil companies spend big bucks on ads in Alaska; led by AOGA, Conoco 02/24/2008
Oil companies have spent more than $1.4 million in recent months on advertising in Alaska in a bid to win voter support for its views on oil taxes and a natural gas pipeline. The Alaska Oil and Gas A...

StatoilHydro 'meets' northern neighbor Alaska 02/03/2008
Norwegian oil company considering Chukchi leases, brings common history of Arctic and offshore exploration and production
If StatoilHydro follows through plans to bid in the upcoming Chukchi lease sale it would be the first foray into Alaska for the Norwegian oil company, but considering the history and experience of Sta...