Alaska tax structure subject of study 12/05/2010
Commonwealth North, an Alaska organization with a mission to disseminate information about public policy issues in the state, is initiating a study into the structure of Alaska oil taxes. "It is the r...

Multiple bids received in open season 08/08/2010
TransCanada's Tony Palmer describes initial open season bids as from 'major industry players and others for significant volumes'
It was question which evoked thoughts of a worst-case scenario: what if the AGIA-licensed Alaska Pipeline Project got no bids in its initial open season? According to the terms of the Alaska Gasline...

Revised GRETC bill gets House hearing 03/28/2010
A more flexible approach brought the utilities to the table, but lawmakers want some concerns addressed before they sign off
After a year to clear its throat, an attempt to unite the Alaska Railbelt utilities is back before lawmakers in a more flexible package, creating both benefits and concerns. A pair of bills before the...

A change of mind 03/21/2010
Stevens opts for in-state gas-line routes from NS to Kenai or Valdez
In a major change of heart since leaving office, former U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens now thinks that LNG exports into the Pacific Rim from Alaska present the optimum solution for bringing North Slope gas to...

Military largest U.S. energy consumer 10/18/2009
Study by retired officers highlights impacts of climate change, energy choices on military; nation's aging electric grid a big issue
Energy is a crucial issue for the U.S. military and a recent study by retired senior military officers concluded that fossil fuel dependence and a fragile national electric grid are threats to U.S. mi...

State revenue stream OK but 'fragile' 07/19/2009
Assuming strong oil prices, state will have plenty of cash for budgeting and can build its savings, revenue commissioner says
Prospects are decent for ample revenue to support state government and preserve savings through the year 2020, but Alaska's finances will remain "fragile" due to heavy dependence on oil production, st...

Sparks fly over the Northwest Passage 05/31/2009
Canadian, U.S. perspectives clash during Commonwealth North forum; is the passage an international waterway with access for all?
The Northwest Passage is an international strait used for international navigation, John Norton Moore, director of the Center of Oceans Law and Policy at the University of Virginia School of Law, told...

New report addresses changing Arctic 05/31/2009
Commonwealth North report recommends U.S. actions to reflect increasing international interest and opportunity in the Arctic region
Commonwealth North, a private organization which provides information about Alaska public policy issues, has published a report called "Why the Arctic Matters," in which experts on the Arctic have put...

Not free-for-all land grab 05/31/2009
Stephen de Boer: Continental shelf claims following orderly legal process
Contrary to popular opinion, the current flurry of activity around offshore continental shelf claims under the international Convention on the Law of the Sea is an orderly legal process, and not some...

Pourchot named Alaska special assistant 05/10/2009
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has named Pat Pourchot to be his special assistant for Alaska affairs, based in Anchorage. Interior said Pourchot will work closely with Interior's senior manage...

Lawmakers revive reserves tax as proposed ballot initiative after measure failed in 2006 10/05/2008
A group of state lawmakers have revived a measure to tax Alaska natural gas reserves. Rep. Harry Crawford, D-Anchorage; Rep. David Guttenberg, D-Fairbanks; and Rep. Beth Kerttula, D-Juneau recently fi...

PPT special session set for Oct.18; new oil tax not bringing in what projected, says governor 08/12/2007
A special session of the Alaska Legislature to review the state's new petroleum profits tax, passed last August, has been set for Oct. 18. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin said at a press conference Aug. 3 th...

Oil Patch Insider 04/22/2007
AOGA's Brady to retire; AEWC and Maggie Ahmaogak part ways; Persily heads to D.C.
Judy Brady, executive director of the Alaska Oil and Gas Association, plans to retire at the end of June after 14 years with the Anchorage-based group. AOGA's deputy director Marilyn Crockett will tak...

Oil Patch Insider 04/15/2007
Agrium takes first gas; Savant hires O'Keefe, looking for more exploration plays; Zimmerman resigns from Storm Cat
Agrium's Alaska spokeswoman Lisa Parker told Petroleum News April 11 that the company's Nikiski fertilizer facility received its first natural gas feedstock April 10 and will be back in production in...

Fiscal finding, draft LLC to Legislature 11/26/2006
Interim fiscal interest finding for North Slope gas pipeline contract includes proposed changes, limited liability corporation
In its last few weeks of office the administration of Gov. Frank Murkowski has wrapped up and passed to the Legislature and the incoming administration of Gov.-elect Sarah Palin an amended, but not re...

Piecing together the Palin puzzle 11/19/2006
Statements made during her campaign shed light on Alaska governor-elect's strategies and plans regarding major oil and gas issues
Sarah Palin's gubernatorial campaign slogan "New Energy for Alaska" promised a fresh look at Alaska's future and hinted that the energy industry would feature high on her administration's agenda. But...

Moving on or starting over? 09/24/2006
Members of Commonwealth North, including gas contract study group members, aren't in agreement on what should happen next
Commonwealth North discussed its study report on the proposed gas fiscal contract at a meeting Sept. 8 (see story in Sept. 17 issue of Petroleum News). The discussion didn't cover all of the points i...

CWN: Re-negotiate 09/17/2006
Commonwealth North says gas pipeline contract needs to be re-negotiated
Commonwealth North, the Anchorage-based public policy organization, has published a study of the proposed gas pipeline fiscal contract, and while praising the work of the administration of Alaska Gov....

Former DNR officials: Contract a bad deal 06/18/2006
Irwin, Rutherford say state is subsidizing the North Slope gas pipeline to the tune of $13.25 billion in contract governor negotiated
The proposed gas fiscal contract is a bad deal for the state, former Department of Natural Resource officials Tom Irwin and Marty Rutherford told Petroleum News following a Commonwealth North presenta...

Revenue forecast: prices up, volume down 12/25/2005
Change in production forecast due to maintenance, slower moving heavy oil, delay in projects like Point Thomson, Liberty
Prices being paid for Alaska North Slope crude oil are up, Alaska Revenue Commissioner Bill Corbus said Dec. 15, but ANS production continues a decline that began in 1988. The department's fall reven...

Gas project proponents square off 03/14/2004
Advocates of four plans to commercialize Alaska North Slope gas pitch their projects to Commonwealth North
It all boils down to answering some basic questions: Who? What? When? Where? And, of course, how much - how much money will it cost and how much gas will it move? Proponents of four projects to move...

Interior official calls on industry to help raise America's energy IQ 03/02/2003
Rebecca Watson tells Commonwealth North that ANWR discussion 'hampered by this low national energy IQ,' says right now we're hearing just one side of the debate
Rebecca Watson of the Department of the Interior cited a recent report on America's low energy IQ as a problem in national discussions over domestic energy production - from natural gas development in...

Sen. Murkowski expects first major ANWR floor fight in March 02/23/2003
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said if a provision to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration is added to a budget reconciliation bill as expected, the "first major floor fight"...