|
Meet Alaska 2001 draws crowd of 577
Kay H. Cashman PNA Publisher
Paid attendance at the Alaska Support Industry Alliance’s annual Meet Alaska conference reached a record-breaking 577, up 100 from last year, Alliance President Bill Stamps told attendees Jan. 26. The 18th annual conference was held in the Sheraton Hotel in Anchorage.
Stamps attributed the increase in attendance to efforts of The Alliance staff and “optimism” about the future of the oil and gas industry in Alaska.
The theme of this year’s conference was “Going where no road has gone before.” Speakers shared everything from economic and technological successes of the past year; to the probability of a gas industry in Alaska; to Mars exploration. The mood of the crowd, like the price of oil, was upbeat.
But not everything at the conference was strictly business. Speakers occasionally provided listeners with a touch of humor. Dick Olver and U.S. politics When it was his turn to speak, Dick Olver, group managing director of BP and chief executive officer of BP Exploration, talked about a visit this past fall to the United States when he was asked who he thought would win the U.S. presidential election.
Olver shared his response with Meet Alaska attendees: “I don’t have any idea, I said. But of course I didn’t have any idea that I would be in the majority in the event.” Richard Campbell puts his best side forward In his introduction of Olver, BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. President Richard Campbell held up the January issue of Petroleum News • Alaska and pointed to the Best Line, which was from an article about photographer Judy Patrick. He read Patrick’s quote: “ ‘I’m a photographer and an ambassador for the oil industry. I do more than just take pretty pictures.’
“When I saw this I was amused,” Campbell said. He paused. “It does happen occasionally.”
Campbell turned to Patrick who was shooting him from the audience and said, “Judy, you have the opportunity to take some very pretty pictures here today.”
Patting his right cheek Campbell said, “My right side is my best side.” Kevin Meyers on gas Phillips Alaska Inc. President Kevin Meyers was rewarded with chuckles from the audience when he introduced speaker Dodd DeCamp, Phillips Petroleum Co.’s vice president of worldwide exploration.
“But that’s about all I’m going to say about gas,” Meyers said after a few serious comments about Phillips’ commitment to the development of North Slope gas. “Because my role today is like a big jar of Rolaids. I’m going to give you a temporary reprieve from gas.
“Today my job is to introduce our vice president of exploration, Dodd DeCamp, and he’s going to talk about what’s going on in the world of exploration for Phillips.
“But I want to emphasize that this is only a temporary reprieve. Because I understand, and Phillips understands that Alaskans want gas. And like a hot, spicy entrée, we’re committed to give it to you!”
Meyers also offered Dr. Geoffrey Briggs, director of NASA’s Center of Mars Exploration, some advice regarding exploration on the red planet: “After working up here for several years, my advice to you, Dr. Briggs, is start filing for your permits now.”
| 