Climate change takes U.S. center stage 11/25/2007
Consultant: Climate change, energy security concerns setting the agenda for U.S. government energy policy; could favor NS gas line
There was a time not too long ago when the forces that guided what passed for a U.S. energy policy in the corridors of Washington, D.C., could be summed up as a three-statement mantra: maximize supply...

Alaska oil forecast shaky 11/18/2007
Production interruptions, infrastructure renewal, slowed heavy oil pace the cause
The fall production forecast for Alaska's North Slope is down from the spring forecast - down for the next eight years. Projected volumes have dropped as much as 130,000 barrels per day for fiscal yea...

Numbers will hurt proposal to lock up ANWR 11/11/2007
The latest bid by Congressional Democrats to permanently block energy development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge stands no better chance of success than earlier efforts to open the refuge's co...

Oil Patch Insider 09/23/2007
Effort scaled down, but Arctic Power still carrying ANWR banner in D.C. for Alaska
If you're wondering whether the State of Alaska is asleep at the wheel regarding ANWR, the answer is no: Dozing maybe, but not asleep. In May, $750,000 previously appropriated to Arctic Power for educ...

Palin freezes energy lobbying, ad contract 06/03/2007
Questions about how Pac/West Communications spent funds raised; no-bid $3M award an issue for some from the beginning
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has frozen the contract of a firm originally hired with a no-bid contract to push for opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to petroleum drilling. Palin at first supporte...

Oil Patch Insider 04/29/2007
Alaska governor's office seeks new D.C. lobbyists
After nearly three decades of working with the same firm in Washington, D.C., the State of Alaska is advertising for new lobbyists to help drive home its messages in Congress. In a request for proposa...

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...

MINING NEWS: Mining and the Law; 'Children of a Common Mother' 03/25/2007
Inscribed on the Peace Arch over the international border near Blaine, Wash., are the words, "Children of a Common Mother." I have long felt that Canadians are just like Americans, except that they ar...

BOOK REVIEW: Cussler novel boasts super seismic 03/18/2007
Fans of the almost 40 books written by Clive Cussler might wonder why readers of Petroleum News are interested in his latest improbable action adventure co-authored with his son Dirk. Given the techn...

Oil Patch Insider 03/11/2007
Nabors builds exploration rig for Chevron; Brooks Range group acquires Bachner acreage; Hints of success from Talisman/FEX's NPR-A drilling
Nabors Alaska Drilling is building a lightweight, high-tech AC drilling rig at the request of Chevron, which plans a multi-year drilling program on the North Slope starting next winter. Nabors Rig 10...

Odds against ANWR reserve 02/25/2007
Consultants: Making refuge part of U.S. emergency petroleum stockpile impractical
Consultants in Alaska most familiar with the controversial debate over drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge applaud the notion of considering all avenues to find a viable path to de...

Bush: ANWR still in the picture 02/11/2007
Despite Democratic-led Congress, White House tenders controversial petroleum development provision in fiscal 2008 budget proposal
President Bush inserted oil drilling on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge into the $2.9 trillion budget proposal for fiscal 2008 that he unveiled Feb. 5. But the move likely wi...

MINING NEWS: Alaskans offer to tell truth about Pebble 01/28/2007
New organization will present facts to public about economic benefits of Northern Dynasty's controversial copper-gold project
A broad spectrum of Alaskans who support the proposed Pebble mine have formed a non-profit organization to inform the public about Northern Dynasty's copper-gold project in the Bristol Bay region. Tru...

Chevron moving forward in inlet, on North Slope 01/28/2007
With 40,000 barrels of oil production per day, Chevron is Alaska's fourth largest crude oil producer, Scott Davis, vice president, mid-continental business unit leader of Chevron North America, told M...

MEET ALASKA 2007: Alaska roll call lookin' good 01/21/2007
Today 31 oil and gas companies have significant investments in Alaska; in 1996 that number was down to 7
Ten years ago Petroleum News published a "roll call" of oil and gas companies doing business in Alaska. In the five preceding years the number had dropped by more than one-half, from 19 active compani...

MEET ALASKA 2007: ANWR drilling hopes dim in new Congress 01/21/2007
Weak numbers, lack of imagination will hamper Democrats in efforts to pass legislation for or against Arctic drilling legislation
Forces amassing to push legislation through Congress that would open the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling likely will encounter the same roadblocks in the...

Competition the key 01/21/2007
Palin: new gas line bill's inducements will give Alaska 'skin in the game'
Alaska's new governor, Sarah Palin, says the state must ramp up resource development across Alaska, beef up oversight on the North Slope and end warehousing of the state's resources at Point Thomson....

Dems float bid to lock up ANWR's coastal plain 01/14/2007
Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, proposes ban on oil drilling in 1002 Area; Ted Stevens offers plan to raise CAFÉ standards to 40 miles per gallon by 2017 to reduce greenhouse gases
Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., one of the most strident voices against oil drilling on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, is now pushing legislation to convert the 1.2 million-acr...

Oil Patch Insider 01/14/2007
Begich berates ANWR drilling ban bill; Palin names Hartig to head DEC; Governor to speak at Jan. 19 Meet Alaska conference
The latest bid in Washington, D.C., by Rep. Ed Markey, R-Mass., to prohibit oil exploration on the 1.2-million-acre coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge lit a fire under at least one D...

DNR says no to Exxon 12/31/2006
Rutherford: lessees had notice; 'poor policy' to certify nonexistent wells
The State of Alaska is continuing to indicate it will kick start development of the languishing Point Thomson field, with a denial of reconsideration of the commissioner's decision issued Dec. 27 by a...

MINING NEWS: Full steam ahead for Full Metal Minerals 11/26/2006
Vancouver-based junior aggressively pursuing Alaska projects in partnership with other mining companies and Native corporations
An investor attending the Alaska Miners Association convention in Anchorage mentioned that he was listening intently to all the exploration talks because he was looking for the next Full Metal Mineral...

Thomson on the table 11/26/2006
Companies say little at hearing; agencies, port authority comments negative
Alaska legislators are concerned Gov. Frank Murkowski will sign a gas pipeline fiscal contract with North Slope producers ExxonMobil, BP and Chevron before he leaves office in early December. There is...

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...