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Christenson leaves Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission New requirements for petroleum engineer, geologist members of panel effective June 1 Kristen Nelson PNA News Editor
Bob Christenson, chairman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, resigned effective June 7.
Claire Richardson, spokesman for the governor, said June 7 that Christenson submitted his resignation in May, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.
He was appointed to the petroleum engineer seat on the commission in May 1997 and has served as chairman since February 1999.
Recruitment is under way for a replacement and Richardson said those interested in applying should contact Cindy Smith, director of Boards and Commissions, at (907) 465-3500.
New qualifications for two members Following disputes between the Knowles’ administration and the Legislature over statutory requirements for appointments to the commission, the Legislature passed a bill this session, signed by the governor June 1, changing requirements for new appointments to the petroleum engineer and petroleum geologist seats on the commission. The existing members were not affected, nor would they have been if reappointed, according to provisions of the bill.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Joe Green, R-Anchorage, specifies that one member of the commission shall be a petroleum engineer who holds a certificate of registration as an engineer under state law and “under regulations adopted to implement this chapter, has qualified as a petroleum engineer” or has a degree in engineering and “at least 10 years of professional subsurface experience in the oil and gas industry…”
The geologist member of the commission is required to hold a certification as a professional geologist with professional experience in the field of petroleum geology or have a degree in geology and a minimum of 10 years professional experience in petroleum geology.
The third member of the commission, as is the past, is not required to be certified, trained or experienced as either a petroleum engineer or a petroleum geologist.
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