BP looks at three gas pipeline routes to Lower 48
BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. said in a brochure published this month on Alaska gas that in addition to looking at gas to liquids and liquefied natural gas projects, it is studying three proposed gas pipeline routes and is "nearing completion on a significant study to evaluate the pipeline option."
A southern route, following the Alaska Highway through Fairbanks into southern Alaska before turning east to Canada, may have permitting advantages, BP said, and "shares potential synergies" with a liquefied natural gas option.
A northern route would go across northern Alaska to the Mackenzie Delta and south through Canada, allowing for gas supplies to be picked up in the Northwest Territories and in Alberta.
A central route would follow the trans-Alaska pipeline through Atigun Pass and then turn east and south of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and connect with the proposed northern Mackenzie Delta pipeline.
The southern route would be the longest at some 1,940 miles, BP said. The central route would be 1,816 miles and the central route would be 1,617-1,650 miles, depending on routing.
BP said that with 35 trillion cubic feet discovered on Alaska's North Slope, it believes there is sufficient gas to support total of 2 billion to 4 billion cubic feet per day of gas sales for more than 30 years via one or more gas sale projects.
State, federal agencies sign memorandum of understanding
The Joint Pipeline Office said Aug. 9 that the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management-Alaska and the State Pipeline Coordinator's Office, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, have signed a memorandum of understanding describing responsibilities and procedures for renewal of federal and state rights-of-way for the trans-Alaska pipeline and related facilities.
JPO said that because BLM and DNR administer different segments of the same pipeline system, cooperation between the two agencies is essential to consistent and coherent trans-Alaska pipeline management.
The agency said cooperation will: avoid duplication of efforts; promote open, clear and consistent communications; help assure that any renewed grant and lease and future oversight will be similar; and help assure a thorough, high quality renewal process.
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