• ASIS includes members representing many if not all Federal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.  They are on the cutting edge of Homeland Defense planning.  Hotel, airport, air transport, and other businesses actively participate.  Their annual meeting is the APEX of all industry security conferences/trade shows.  No industry requires such networking more than the energy sector.   The editors of Security Management magazine have collected relevant articles from past issues and compiled them in the Counterterrorism and Contingency Planning Guide.  Company security directors may order a copy of the Counterterrorism and Contingency Planning Guide, for only $15 for ASIS members or $20 for Nonmembers, by downloading an order form here.  Our suggestion for a management security test would be for the security office to review this and other industry security materials, then brief corporate management on vulnerabilities still visible in the new age of terrorism, new networking plans and the cost of new security measures.  New gas pipeline and other projects should attribute costs and define general security measures in preparation for financial plans and regulatory agency applications.  Such increased scrutiny of security should not be done to satisfy regulatory requirements so much as to exercise due diligence in a world of new threats.

• In Alaska, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs oversees much of the the local, state and Federal Homeland Security coordination effort.  Governor Frank Murkowski will appoint a new Commissioner of the Department on Monday.  We will report. 

• Readers might be interested in our post-9/11 security editorial.  We might also imagine what damage could be done to energy projects when planning occurs--far more disastrous than even the wanton attack by a drunk with a rifle last year.  Lest we forget.  -dh

12-24 Updates: 03:06, 03:39, 04:00, 19:33 ET.  Juneau, Alaska-The state's financial activities for FY 2002 are in the books. The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the year ended June 30, 2002 includes, for the first time ever, an unqualified audit opinion on the financial statements of the State of Alaska.  (Note to investors: while the books look strong based on the assets contained in the Alaska Permanent Fund (APF), the State is still spending more than it takes in.  Tapping the APF requires a vote of the people, who are reluctant to cooperate.  The amount required to make up for otherwise deficit spending, comes from a constitutional budget reserve fund.  At the current rate of spending, the reserve fund will be depleted by 2005, absent a skyrocketing, sustained price of oil and/or draconian budget cuts.  Accordingly, the new Administration and Legislature are under intense pressure to find replacement revenues.  -dh)   *   ADN, Washington -- Lisa Murkowski, in her first political move as a U.S. senator, endorsed Sen. Bill Frist as majority leader Monday.

Testimonial: "Thanks so much for all the news that you have made available through Northern Gas Pipelines over 2002."  Brian McCutcheon (NGP Photo, 6-02) Senior Consultant-Outcrop Communications Ltd.-Yellowknife

12-23 Updates: 00:03, 11:08, 11:57, 12:04, 12:30, 13:45, 15:38, 20:00, 21:00 ET.    Northern News Services by Thorunn Howatt-Calgary - An NWT coalition wants $12 million for oil and gas training from the federal government.  "The funding that we are looking for is really to support the efforts already being made by industry, by aboriginal groups and by our own government," said NWT Education, Employment and Culture Minister Jake Ootes.  The group, made up of the federal and territorial government along with Akita Drilling's Rob Hunt (NGP Photo, 6-02) was formalized earlier this fall....  Two years ago the territorial government developed an in-depth human resource development proposal and submitted it to Jane Stewart, minister of Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC). "We needed help -- as a territorial government -- to support the skill and training needs of the people of the territories so we can move people into the work force."     *     ADN by Mike Doogan--When Wally Hickel had to do that in December 1968, after the death of U.S. Sen. Bob Bartlett, he reached out for a 45-year-old Anchorage Republican lawyer who had served two terms in the state House of Representatives. Thirty-four years later, the man Hickel picked, Ted Stevens, is still in the U.S. Senate, a master of its politics, the most enduring and effective senator Alaska has ever had.  Friday, to fill the seat he left to become governor, Murkowski appointed a 45-year-old Anchorage Republican lawyer who had served two terms in the state House of Representatives. There's nothing that says his appointee will enjoy Stevens' success and longevity. But there's nothing that says she won't.   *    12-22.  ADN.  At a time in life when most Alaskans would have long since retired, Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens is taking one of the toughest challenges in the oil patch: opening ANWR.

12-21/22 Weekend Updates (Last modified: 04/27/08 20:21 -0700).  Voice of the Times.  SEN. TED STEVENS (NGP Photo, 12-02) says his highest priority in 2003 will be opening the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil exploration. ... Another of the senator's priorities will be winning legislation allowing construction of a pipeline to carry North Slope gas down the Alaska Highway to markets in the Midwest. The pipeline will almost certainly require a tax break to make it feasible, but if the line is not built, it will generate zero taxes.  A tax break -- not a subsidy, as some media persist in calling it -- would therefore not cost taxpayers anything. If it is built, the pipeline would create thousands of jobs in Alaska and the Lower 48 while providing the nation with a major new source of clean energy. It would therefore offer considerable net benefit to the economy and energy security of the nation as well as a major source of jobs and revenue for Alaska.  (Our original story here, with photos)         *     AP, Kenai -- The North Kenai Agrium plant is expected to operate at less than capacity for at least the next two years due to dwindling reserves of natural gas in Cook Inlet. That does not mean North America's second largest nitrogen products facility has any plans of leaving.  Agrium general manager Mike Nugent told the Kenai Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday his company is optimistic new reserves will be found in Cook Inlet.     *      Total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, led by the decrease in carbon dioxide, fell by 1.2 percent in 2001, from 1,907 million metric tons of carbon  equivalent (MMTCe) in 2000 to 1,883 MMTCe in 2001 (-23.7 MMTCe), according to Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the United States 2001, a report released (last week) by the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

12-20 Updates: 01:07, 02:24, 11:04, 14:59, 15:15, 15:27, 15:35, 17:59, 18:08 ET.   A HISTORICAL DAY FOR ALASKA.  ANCHORAGE, Ak.-Governor Frank H. Murkowski (NGP Photo) appointed Alaska State Legislative Rep. Lisa Murkowski to be the first woman U.S. Senator for Alaska at a press conference here this morning.   Preparing for the announcement, Governor Murkowski said, "With my new role under the law ... I must appoint a successor.  It is probably one of the most important decisions I will make as governor."  He said his successor should share his vision and legislative agenda for Alaska, among other qualifications. "We need ANWR opened now and we need a natural gas pipeline to the Lower 48," he said.  Following the announcement, APRN's Ellen Lockyer asked the new Senator if she was 'up to the challenge'.  She said that her familiarity with the legislative process, Washington D.C. and the players there gave her, "...a foot up."  She said she will, "...walk into the Capital on January 7 and start working."  NBC affiliate reporter Steve MacDonald asked with a smile if there are any ways she differed from 'the guy' who formerly held the seat.  "I could be flip," she said, "and say 'he's a man' (audience laughter), but we agree on most of the issues important to the state."     Please check in later today for a complete report and array of photos including video images.  AP Story.  (NGP photos, 12-20-02: Governor Murkowski, Senator Murkowski and family)  -dh     *      CANADIAN INVESTMENT CLIMATE.   (Also, see recent Aboriginal consultation decisions.)    CBC, Calgary - The Kyoto accord will have a negative impact on Alberta's oilsands projects, a prominent U.S. investment bank says. ... "We believe this is a risk," the report says. "While this would negatively impact most, if not all, oil and gas operations in Canada, oil sands projects would bear the largest part of the reduction burden due to the large amounts of energy consumed in the production process."     *    CALGARY (Dow Jones) By Dina O'Meara - Canadian oil and gas producers gained some hard-won clarity Wednesday on the financial costs of implementing the Kyoto Accord, but continue to question the long-term impacts of the federal plan.   ... "The government recognizes such clarity on the cost and volume issues is important for industry to be able to plan and make the investments which will create jobs and increase incomes for Canadians," Dhaliwal said in the letter to the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, or CAPP.      *     CBC, Whitehorse - A man who spent 15 years of his life trying to hammer out new rules to govern placer mining in Yukon wants to know why Ottawa threw out all that work, virtually overnight.              *            US REGULATORY.  The Bureau of Land Management released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline on Friday, November 29, 2002. The FEIS Executive Summary and a pdf version can be accessed here.  The Joint Pipeline Office's Rhea DoBosh tells us that, "After the FEIS, the Department of Interior must wait at least 30 days before it can issue a Record of Decision (ROD) regarding the federal grant for TAPS right of way."    *    ANWR.  NGP reader, Dr. Karl Francis (NGP Photo, 1-02), writes from Kaktovik about the village's new video documentary.  If anyone wishes to order a copy, email us here and we'll forward your request to Karl.  We believe that Northern Canadian organizations, U.S. Congressional staff professionals and broadcast media like CBC will find it particularly valuable.  -dh  Now, here’s what Karl says in last night's email:  "This note goes out to mark the completion of the first cut of, “In This Place”,  a half-hour documentary about the largely Inupiat village of Kaktovik on the Arctic Slope of Alaska.  This piece is a brief journey to a place few outsiders have seen, and offers a glimpse into the hearts and minds of the only federally recognized tribe of indigenous people whose homelands comprise the North Slope of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  For over two decades, the Kaktovikmiut have found themselves overrun and displaced by a heated political debate concerning the opening of their aboriginal homelands for oil and gas development.  Their refusal to be drawn into outsider polemics, or to align themselves with special interest groups on either side of this debate, has left few who fully understand their position, until now.  “In This Place” is a1/2-hour video approved and sponsored by the City of Kaktovik, and is a journey into the thoughts and concerns of the people who live in and depend on this place others call a wilderness.  In this video the resident Native people of the so-called 1002 petroleum reserve of the ANWR express in their own words their thoughts on their people, their land, their rights, and their way of life.  Over two-years in the making, “In This Place” has officially reached Alaskan television.  The program will air at the end of December and first of January on a program entitled Alaskan Report, along with various screenings on both commercial, public, and community access television throughout the coming weeks.  If you or anyone you know is in Alaska during this time, below is a listing of airdates and sponsoring stations to look out for.  We are also hoping to reach wider distribution within the state, and to go national with a full one-hour piece in the near future.  Anyone interested in finding out more about this piece, these people, and their country please feel free to write me here, or inquire at the City Offices of Kaktovik, Alaska.  ” In This Place” is scheduled to air on Alaskan Report beginning the last week of December.  The sponsors of our show rotate their scheduling on a three-week cycle, so if by chance you miss it the first week, keep checking back, or call your local station for information":

12-19 Updates: 03:43, 04:04, 04:31, 04:49, 11:35 ET.    CONFERENCE.  The 2003 Meet Alaska Conference (1-24-03) features a stellar lineup of government and industry leaders important to Alaska Support Industry Alliance members.  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Pat Wood (NGP Photo, 1-02) will share a head table with Thomas A. Petrie, Energy Analyst, Petrie, Parkman & Co., Russell Jacobs, Investment Analyst, Purvin & Gertz, Michael Flynn, President, Americas, ExxonMobil Development Co.; Robert E. McKee III, Executive Vice President, Exploration & Production, ConocoPhillips, Inc., and others.  Contact: Cindy Mittlestadt, Alliance, 907, 563-2226     *      ADN by Liz Ruskin-Washington -- President Bush on Tuesday confirmed plans to have a limited missile defense system working by 2004, and the Defense Department announced that the new plan calls for locating more missiles in Alaska.    *     Kathleen Cummins, Marketing Assistant for Lawson Lundell, kindly informs us that, "The BC Supreme Court has released a decision dealing with aboriginal consultation obligations related to forest tenures."  Those interested in gas pipeline fiscal clarity issues in Canada will wish to review this and other similar decisions.  -dh    *     Lynne Morris of Morris Communications kindly advises us of a new website for her client: Northern Route Gas Pipeline Corporation.  

12-17 Updates: 00:31, 01:11, 02:38, 02:51, 11:26, 11:39, 11:55, 12:03, 12:27, 12:53, 13:29, 14:00, 14:13, 17:16 ET.  Anchorage Chamber of Commerce-Yesterday, U.S. Senator Ted Stevens (NGP Photo) met with a crowded Fourth Avenue Theater assembly of Chamber members and told them what they needed to hear.  Please see our full report here.      *    Whitehorse Star-Yukon MP Larry Bagnell (NGP Photo-left, with author) says he welcomes the federal government’s recent appointment of Robert Skinner as administrator of the Northern Pipeline Agency.  ... “The revitalization of the Northern Pipeline Agency sends a very strong message about the importance of regulating and handling with these massive and important infrastructure projects.”  Bagnell spoke with Skinner last Thursday and expressed the importance of the Alaska Highway pipeline project to the Yukon, and the contribution it can offer Canada’s economy.  They also discussed, in general terms, the processing system for the Alaska Highway pipeline and agreed to meet in the New Year for an update on progress.  “I was extremely pleased at the appointment, as the federal government is fulfilling its role to be ready to regulate if there is an application submitted for the Alaska Highway/Foothills route,” said Bagnell.  “... I’m pleased to see that the development of Arctic gas continues to be taken very seriously by the government.”      *     Congressional Quarterly-The House will join the Senate for a Jan. 7 start to the 108th Congress, but it does not plan to conduct much business until the end of the month at the earliest. The office of the incoming majority leader, Republican Tom DeLay of Texas, today released the House calendar for the first session. After the opening three days of the Congress, it calls for no floor votes before Jan. 27, one day before President Bush is scheduled to deliver the State of the Union address. The Senate, in a tentative calendar issued a week ago, indicated it plans to remain in session until a Jan. 20-24 break for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Both chambers set Oct. 3 as a "target adjournment" date, though Congress rarely leaves that early in a non-election year. House Democrats scheduled a retreat for Jan. 30-31, while Republicans will hold their retreat Feb. 7-8.   *     OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada would not "telegraph" plans to sell its stake in Petro-Canada, the country's No. 3 oil producer, a government official said on Monday.

12-16 Updates: 00:10, 00:41, 13:08, 13:18, 13:28, 18:21 ET.  U.S. Senator Ted Stevens addressed the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce today at noon.  We'll provide a report tomorrow.   *    CBC-When the Aboriginal Pipeline Group was formed two years ago, it had the support of all regions. ... ArctiGas Resources has confirmed it's close to signing another land corporation in the Sahtu to support its pipeline proposal.     *     ANCHORAGE (Reuters, by Yereth Rosen) - The U.S. Forest Service approved a plan yesterday for oil and gas drilling in the Katalla region of the Chugach National Forest, a site on the Gulf of Alaska coast that was the location of the state's first commercial oil production.    *     ANCHORAGE-A consulting partnership, representing Foothills Pipe Lines Ltd. in Alaska, has announced major organizational changes.  Founded in 2000,  Jade North, LLC provides consulting services in a broad range of natural resource, Alaska Native, and government sectors.  Marty Rutherford (Photo-left) is joining the firm as a Partner.  Rutherford, former Deputy Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, is also a former Deputy Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Community and Regional Affairs.  Partner, Patty Bielawski (Photo-upper right) is assuming primary management of the firm. Bielawski specializes in management of oil and gas projects and handles government relations and external affairs for clients. Bill Shoephoester (Photo-left) joined Jade North earlier this year and provides electric utility and oil spill prevention and response planning, as well as project management services. Senior Partner, John Shively (Photo-right) has joined Holland America as Vice President, External Affairs. Shively will retain a partnership in Jade North.     *      AGRIUM, Calgary–Agrium Inc. (TSX and NYSE: AGU) announced today it has renewed an agreement with a major oil and gas producer in the Cook Inlet, Alaska for the supply of interruptible spot gas for the Kenai nitrogen facility for an additional 30-day period.    *    CBC, Calgary - Ralph Klein says if voters want him back, he'll run again in 2005, music to the ears of the 600 who gathered to celebrate his 10 years a premier.     *      CBC, Yellowknife-It was the mayor, Gordon Van Tighem (NGP Photo, 6-02) who broke the tie. Van Tighem says by not raising taxes, council is encouraging people to move to and work in the city.

12-13 Updates: 02:38, 04:37, 11:55, 12:12, 12:35, 13:32, 13:51, 14:00, 14:05, 15:03, 17:20 ET.   ADN, Fairbanks -- Gov. Frank Murkowski (NGP Photo) will spend three days in Houston, Texas, visiting with friends, some of whom are in the energy industry, a press spokesman said. … "He's going down there meeting with some energy people," said press spokesman John Manly. … After leaving Houston, the governor is expected to travel to Washington, D.C., where he will pack up belongings from his U.S. Senate office and residence and attend some official functions.  Murkowski is scheduled to attend an all-day meeting between White House staff members of President Bush and newly elected Republican governors. … While Murkowski is out of Alaska, state business will be overseen by Jim Clark, Murkowski's chief of staff, Manly said. On Monday that business will include the release of the governor's proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. Cheryl Frasca, Murkowski's budget director, will make the announcement. It's unknown what effect Murkowski's absence will have on the announcement for his replacement in the U.S. Senate. An announcement had been anticipated earlier this week, but Murkowski said he needed more time. … Former Republican state Sen. Johne Binkley, a Fairbanks businessman considered by many as a front-runner for the job, said he has not heard much more from Murkowski's people except that the decision has been postponed.      *     Palmer, Ak.-NGP Publisher Dave Harbour (Photo-right, with Chamber manager, Ev Kent) addressed the Palmer Chamber of Commerce Wednesday, "Seeing Northern Gas Pipelines Through a Palmer Lens".  Harbour gave a historical review of northern gas projects, and an analysis of current events.  He then addressed the self interest of Palmer citizens.  "Any state leader seeking to wrestle down the fiscal crisis", he said, "better begin working overtime to improve relationships with the oil industry."   Please see our report here, event photos and reader response.  (Story above: Alaska's new governor--to his credit--seems to be working overtime.  -dh)   *    Northern News Services by Derek Neary, Fort Liard - The oil and gas season is about to shift into high gear in Fort Liard.  Working in camps and catering, Raymond Kotchea is accustomed to being very busy during the winter. However, the paycheques often decline or stop coming at all during the rest of the year. In addition, oil and gas work won't be around forever.    *      More on the AGA report covered yesterday, emphasizing Alaska's potential:  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. consumers can expect much higher natural gas prices during the next 10 to 15 years, which could threaten the American economy, unless more federal lands are opened to drilling so fresh supplies can be pumped into the market, an industry trade group warned on Wednesday.

12-12 Updates:  00:01, 13:23, 13:42, 13:53, 14:57, 15:33, 15:53 ET.   New AGA study features Arctic gas and LNG: "Given the long lead time associated with producing and transporting natural gas, critical decisions must be made now," said David Parker, AGA president.  According to Dow Jones, The report said Alaska might hold 250 trillion cubic feet of natural gas - enough to support all U.S. current needs for more than a decade. But it could take eight to 10 years to site, permit and build a pipeline to carry the natural gas from Alaska to the lower-48 states, the report said.  It said Alaskan gas and liquefied natural gas have made modest  contributions to overall U.S. supply, but that increases will be necessary to meet growing demand for natural gas .   *    CBC, Edmonton - The Kyoto protocol was ratified Tuesday and Alberta's environment minister says it's now time to talk about implementation.  *        The draft environmental impact statement for two proposed federal OCS oil and gas lease sales in Cook Inlet is available for public comment. The Minerals Management Service issued the draft multiple sale EIS on December 6, 2002.   *   Alaska MMS Regional Director John Goll (NGP Photo) addressed the Alliance this morning.  To an appreciative audience, he advocated that "...agencies stick to the rules... multiple agencies come to the table...involving the senior management of regulatory agencies...."  See our report and event photos here.

12-11 Updates: 00:15, 02:24, 02:40, 03:00, 09:58, 10:11, 10:20, 19:42 ET.  Alison Blackduck (Photo), Communications Coordinator-Claims and Devolution of the Council of Yukon First Nations, sent us this report yesterday.  NGP follows such news since it applies to gas pipeline investor interest in securing fiscal clarity in {Alaska and} Canada.  “CYFN Chiefs and delegates are electing a Grand Chief this February 2003,” the report read. “At a regular CYFN Leadership meeting today, CYFN Chiefs set an election date for the office of Grand Chief at CYFN’s last regular Leadership meeting of 2002. CYFN Chiefs and delegates are voting for the office of CYFN Grand Chief next Feb. 15-16 at a Special Assembly in Whitehorse. Grand Chief Ed Schultz (NGP Photo, 3-02) isn’t declaring yet whether he’s interested in seeking re-election.”      *      NNS by Thorunn Howatt, Calgary - Dene chiefs want to step back and take a second look at pipeline proposals before they commit themselves.... The chiefs passed a resolution for a committee of vice-chiefs to investigate pipeline implications, then report back with a written report of options and recommendations. The document was drafted during a recent Dene leadership meeting in Rae and proposes that industry and government fund the research. There were no dollar figures attached to the plan.  NWT Dene chiefs have been bombarded by pipeline proposals from two factions….  The APG wants one-third ownership of a proposed line that would carry natural gas southward following the Mackenzie Valley. … ARC is a consortium that wants to build a pipeline from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, then move under the Beaufort Sea to the Mackenzie Delta, and then south following the Mackenzie Valley.   "We're supportive of the Aboriginal Pipeline Group. Different options have been floating around though," said NWT Minister of Resources Jim Antoine (NGP Photo, 11-01).  But Antoine noted he wants to hear what Roland Priddle has to say first.  Priddle was appointed by the federal government to negotiate pipeline issues with the APG. … The Deh Cho chiefs abstained from voting on the pipeline issue because they have yet to settle their land claim.  "We are still not saying yes or no," said K'atlodeeche First Nations Chief Roy Fabian. The Hay River chief proposed that there are positive sections from both the ARC and APG proposals and a joint plan could be introduced. But Fabian wants to finish the Deh Cho process before committing. "No matter what the deal is, we're still not ready," said Fabian.      *     Houston-The ConocoPhillips board of directors late yesterday advised us it has approved a $6.6 billion capital budget for 2003.  The message said, "The company intends to spend approximately $640 million of the E&P budget for its Alaska operations. A majority of the capital spending will fund Greater Prudhoe, Kuparuk and western North Slope operations, and construction of Endeavour Class tankers to transport Alaska North Slope crude oil. In Canada, the E&P capital expenditures are about $410 million with a focus on Western Canadian gas, Syncrude expansion and Surmont heavy oil development."   *     All NGP readers know that this week President George Bush  named the Chairman/CEO of CSX Corporation,  John Snow, as Secretary of the Treasury.  All readers may not remember that Snow addressed Commonwealth North (CWN) members in Anchorage (July 2001) regarding his view of the U.S. economy, Alaska’s role in it and status of CSX–owned Yukon Pacific Corporation’s (YPC) Trans-Alaska Gas System (TAGS).  Snow said the economy is the “weakest I’ve seen in 20 years…with the exception of energy,” but that, “...we see a brighter economic outlook for Alaska than for the Lower 48.”    (NGP photo right, left-right: Frank Peake, Vice President & General Manager, CSX Lines-Alaska, Snow, Former Governor Walter J. Hickel, and Jeff Lowenfels, former President of Yukon Pacific Corporation.  Link to our full 7-27-01 report.)          *         Your author addressed an Alaskan audience at noon today:  "Seeing Northern Gas Pipelines Through a Palmer Lens" (Palmer Chamber of Commerce.  We'll have a little report for you tomorrow.   *       Plan now to join us: 4-7/8-03, Arctic Gas Symposium, Calgary.  

12-10 Updates: 01:48, 02:05, 02:10, 11:48, 12:00, 12:08 ET.  Governor Frank Murkowski has appointed retired Juneau utility executive, Bill Corbus (NGP Photo, 9-01), as Commissioner of Revenue in the new Administration.  Corbus will have major influence on decisions involving an Alaska gas pipeline, Alaska oil and gas tax policies and Alaska's fiscal crisis...all closely related issues.  Corbus served for a year on the prior administration's gas pipeline policy council.  -dh  ADN story.   *    Meanwhile,      Whitehorse Star-The biggest blocks between the two Kaska first nations in the Yukon and land claims deals are with the territorial government.  Dave Porter, chair of the Kaska Dena Council, said in an interview Friday he believes the new government may be willing to work on these outstanding issues.  (See our Kaska-Foothills story, 11-01)    *       Whitehorse Star-The First Nations Alaska Highway Pipeline Working Group has postponed the First Nations Oil and Gas Summit, scheduled for last week in Whitehorse.  The event has been put off until January because the group needs more time to prepare, the group said in a statement….The summit is an in-camera meeting between chiefs and/or official delegates who represent one of the first nations along the proposed Alaska Highway gas pipeline corridor – Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon.  Discussing and signing a draft Protocol Agreement on Oil and Gas Development Agreement is the goal of the meeting.  The protocol would address maximizing first nations’ involvement politically, economically and socially in the planning, building and maintenance of an Alaska Highway pipeline while protecting aboriginal and treaty rights, and first nations’ lands and resources.  The working group, one initiative of the Council of Yukon First Nations’ Oil and Gas Secretariat, said it regrets having to reschedule the summit but recognizes first nations leaders from British Columbia and Alberta want as many opportunities as possible to learn more about how their first nations can benefit from non-renewable resource and energy development….    *    Whitehorse Star-Premier Dennis Fentie and Premier Stephen Kakfwi of the Northwest Territories had their first face-to-face meeting….  “Premier Fentie and I both agree that the market will decide the pipeline route. Our job is to work together to ensure our territories benefit from development, no matter where it occurs in the North,” Kakfwi said in the statement.  The two premiers said they’re looking forward to joining Premier Paul Okalik of Nunavut in a revitalized Northern Premiers’ Council, where the three northern leaders discuss common priorities and issues of mutual concern. … Last Tuesday, Fentie shared his vision for developing the Yukon’s resource potential in partnership with first nation governments and industry at Resource Expo 2002 in Calgary, where he met Kakfwi.  (See our earlier stories and download the Premiers' talking points.)    *   The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released the federal Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) Right-of-Way Renewal.  The 7-volume document describes the environmental, social and economic impacts of renewing the TAPS federal right-of-way for up to 30 years. It includes responses to and text changes stemming from comments presented by the public during public hearings and public review of the Draft EIS in July and August.  The FEIS is available in repositories throughout the state of Alaska, and online as a downloadable portable document file (PDF) here.   *  Though Alaskans are aware of this, we note the Congressional Quarterly's take on Governor Murkowski's Senate appointment: "The Fairbanks, Alaska DAILY NEWS-MINER reported that Republican Gov.-elect Frank H. Murkowski has been "conspicuously silent" about who he will pick to fill his two-year unexpired term in the Senate. Under state law, Murkowski could name his successor as early as this week but has until the end of the year to do so. Murkowski had said he could make an announcement by tomorrow but later added he needed  more time." 

12-7/8 Weekend Updates:   BALLOT MEASURE #3. ADN by Larry Houle (NGP Photo, 2-02)-Measure 3, the All-Alaska Gas Line Initiative that passed by a 60 percent majority, now presents state policy-makers with the decision whether to fund a state-owned Gas Development Authority. ... Measure 3 had nothing to do with the commercialization of North Slope gas to Lower 48 markets. In fact, creation of the new state-owned Gas Development Authority is now the very distraction that could kill the Alaska Highway gas pipeline project.  (Our editorial positions: ANCHORAGE CHRONICLE AND CANADA'S FAR NORTH OIL & GAS REVIEW .   Other supporting and opposing views.  Proponent's position.)      *     KYOTO.  CBC, EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Ralph Klein is flying to New York to meet business leaders.  Klein will be delivering his anti-Kyoto message during the visit. ...  "I'm going to say that there are some problems," says Klein. "But I feel more comfortable with it now because I'm encouraged by signs that the new leader, and I assume he's going to be Paul Martin, is not going to rush into enacting this protocol into law."  Klein says he'll be talking to potential American investors for Alberta's oil and gas industry while in New York. He says he'll ask them to lobby Ottawa against ratifying Kyoto as well.    *   CBC, Ottawa - More than 60 per cent of Albertans oppose the Kyoto protocol, a new poll has found, adding support to Premier Ralph Klein's stance against the deal.

12-6-02 Updates:  02:19, 03:41, 04:10, 04:20, 04:45, 05:00, 10:58, 12:27, 13:00, 14:05 ET.   Please see our review/photos of yesterday's RDC meeting: "ANWR Report" by Roger Herrera (NGP Photo-left) and Mano Frey (NGP Photo).       *     NWT Premier Stephen Kakfwi said in Calgary at the Aboriginal Oil and Gas Expo earlier this week that, "It is people like K.C. Williams sitting side by side with Nellie Cournoyea, an esteemed Inuvialuit Leader and Chair of the Inuvialuit Development Corporation, and Chief Fred Carmichael, of the Gwich’in Nation, exploring an unprecedented partnership in building a pipeline that takes northern gas to southern homes.  ...mutual respect is the foundation of the new NWT.  It will be mutual respect for each other and our lands that will build strong economies in each of our regions."  Then, commenting on a critical gas pipeline requirement, Kakfwi expressed a theme also seen in Yukon Premier Fentie's remarks: For the oil and gas companies and diamond mines there will be certainty, because we will work out the rules together.  There will be no short cuts and we will do a thorough job.,"  he said.  (Obtain speech outline.  ...thanks to GNWT's Drew Williams for the link.)    *   See the Yukon Government gas pipeline policy set forth earlier this week in Calgary by new Premier, Dennis Fentie.  Premier Fentie’s remarks support strong First Nations cooperation, compliment Alaska’s new Governor, Frank Murkowski, and seem to propose a new era of cooperation with the Government of the Northwest Territories.  (...thanks to Yukon Oil and Gas Director Greg Komaromi for the link)  -dh       *    Calgary Herald by Chris Varcoe-An aboriginal group that signed a historic agreement to own part of a proposed Arctic gas pipeline is under pressure to reopen the deal, says the Northwest Territories' energy minister.  The Aboriginal Pipeline Group faces concerns from federal authorities and other northern leaders that a deal it struck last year to own up to one-third of the Mackenzie Valley pipeline is flawed, said Jim Antoine.  …  Randy Ottenbreit of Imperial said the consortium of oil producers is moving forward on the basis of the deal it reached with the APG -- an agreement that won widespread support in the Northwest Territories.  "We think it was an important milestone to reach, and the fact it was ratified by leaders representing three-quarters of the aboriginal population in the North indicates that there's a lot of support for that approach," he said.  … However, the APG requires $70 million to finance its share of preliminary design work -- and an additional $300-million loan guarantee if the project goes ahead -- and has asked Ottawa for assistance.  It hasn't received a formal response, although Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal said last month he didn't favour offering loan guarantees or subsidies.   Ottawa appointed Roland Priddle, former head of the National Energy Board, as its main representative on the project. His report on the issue is expected within a few weeks.  … "We have to allow Mr. Priddle time to get his job done," said Alastair Mullin, a spokesman for Indian Affairs Minister Robert Nault.  "We're not anticipating it being too much longer."     *      New general bibliographical reference, Alaskan Drew Dix.     *       Plan now to join us: 4-7/8-03, Arctic Gas Symposium, Calgary.

12-5-02 Updates: 00:01, 10:37, 13:36, 18:34 ET.  CONFERENCES (Note: we mention conferences here which include reference to northern Canadian and US gas potential/policy.  -dh).  Washington, D.C.-The United States Energy Association meets here today with another cast of energy star speakers including: USEA Chairman John Rice, EIA Administrator Guy Caruso, FERC Chairman Patrick Wood, King Publishing's Llewellyn King, Engineering News-Record Associate Editor Thomas Amistead, Washington Post Energy Reporter Pete Behr and Williams Energy News Live Washington Bureau Chief Peter Cook.     *     Juneau-New administration spokesman, Dan Saddler, sent a message noting that Lieutenant Governor Loren Leman will attend the Global Energy and Environmental Issues Conference of The Energy Council today and tomorrow in Jackson Hole.  "This will be Leman’s last meeting as a member of the executive committee of this organization", the statement read.  "Alaska Senator-Elect Scott Ogan will replace him as the Alaska Senate representative on the executive committee after this meeting.  The program for this conference includes a report from OPEC, a presentation on air quality and a report on North American energy integration."  The message quoted Leman as saying, “The Energy Council has been one of the best organizations Alaska belongs to.  Our colleagues from other member states have been some of the strongest supporters of ours for advancing goals of greater domestic production of oil and gas and a rational national energy plan.  They have stood shoulder to shoulder with us as we have presented the Alaska position on exploration and development of the Coastal Plain of ANWR.  Governor Murkowski recognizes the importance of our continued active involvement with this organization.”  The Energy Council is a legislative organization of 10 energy producing states and four international affiliates that participates in federal energy policy development; assists states in their policy development; and encourages dialogue on environmental and energy issues at all levels of government.  (Today, the Alaska Senate leadership announced committee assignments, including: Sen. Scott Ogan, (R-Palmer) - Resources.)     

12-4-02 Updates: 00:01, 00:32, 01:45, 12:44, 12:57 ET.   Calgary Herald by Scott Haggett-Four days into his new role as Yukon's premier, Dennis Fentie (Photo) came to Calgary to say that while governments in the northern territory may change, the fervent desire to see an Alaska Highway natural gas pipeline built remains a constant.  The new premier, whose Yukon Party dealt Pat Duncan's Liberals a crushing defeat in elections last month, says he's looking for the same things his predecessor was after -- a job boom from the construction of the controversial pipeline and a federal government that keeps its mouth shut when it comes to U.S. subsidies.  Fentie, a 51-year-old businessman from the tiny town of Watson Lake, in the territory's southeastern reaches, says he's not one to sit around while the Yukon gets the short shrift from Herb Dhaliwal, the federal natural resources minister.   Dhaliwal hadn't been shy about attacking the financial incentives that a now-defunct energy bill offered Alaskan producers.  (Our reference.) That bill set a guaranteed price for Alaskan gas and would have offered loan guarantees to spur construction.  (Latest reference) … For Fentie, the subsidies aren't an issue. He wants the federal government to just stay out of the way.  "This is not a competition between Canadian and American gas," Fentie says. "There are huge benefits from a Mackenzie Valley line for Canada and huge benefits from an Alaska line for Canada. It's important that the government recognize this, remain route neutral and be a good facilitator in working with the Americans on both those fronts so that we in Canada can maximize our benefits. We shouldn't try to dictate to the Americans. If they want to build a project of this magnitude and provide some incentives to industry, that's their business."  … While the so-called Dempster Lateral pipeline hasn't been on anyone's drawing board for quite some time, Fentie is unapologetic for his position -- which would result in thousands of additional jobs in a territory that's starved for economic development -- but realistic enough to see that a route choice is out of his hands.  … To attract companies into the area, the new premier is trying to clean up the territorial government's relations with its First Nations. The territory is taking over management of its resources next year from the federal government and making certain the First Nations are on side and not standing in the way of development is crucial to attracting companies into an area the premier calls "a treasure-chest of resources.  Even in the absence of final (land-claims) agreements, it's crucial for the government, its prudent for government to move in a direction that creates an economic partnership with First Nations," he said.   "We believe that will be a major step towards providing investment certainty."   (Note: ‘investment certainty’ is a code word for those contemplating gas pipeline investments and reflects a good understanding by the Premier of critical issues.  -dh)      *     Government of Canada Statement-The Government of Canada has appointed Robert Gerald Skinner to replace Kenneth Vollman as Administrator of the Northern Pipeline Agency. The Northern Pipeline Agency was created in 1978 to carry out federal responsibilities in relation to the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation System. Dr. Skinner will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Northern Pipeline Agency and its coordination of the federal government's responsibilities to prepare for a possible decision by industry to continue with the project's development. The Government of Canada remains route-neutral with respect to an Alaskan natural gas pipeline and believes that North American energy markets are better served if industry is allowed to determine the nature and timing of pipeline development.  This Governor in Council appointment to the Northern Pipeline Agency is provided for under the Northern Pipeline Act.     *      Greg Doggett, Systems Manager for Alaska's Joint Pipeline Office kindly informs us that the JPO has changed the location of its web site.  Here is the new URL.     *     National Post by Claudia Cattaneo-Drilling activity in the Canadian oilpatch is forecast to pick up significantly next year despite concerns over the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, with U.S. companies leading the rebound.     *     Congressional Quarterly says about Alaska's election: "Republican Sen. Frank H. Murkowski was sworn in {Monday} as Alaska's governor, creating a Senate vacancy that Murkowski plans to fill early next week. Murkowski, 69, who is giving up the Senate seat he first won in 1980, is required by state law to wait until at least five days after his Senate resignation to appoint his successor. The law was passed last year by the Republican-controlled state Legislature with Murkowski's bid in mind and enacted over the veto of term-limited Democratic Gov. Tony Knowles. The law was aimed at preventing Knowles from appointing a Democrat to fill out the final two years of Murkowski's unexpired term."   *   ADN by Liz Ruskin-Washington -- With Gov. Frank Murkowski still mum about whom he will appoint to take his place in the U.S. Senate, suspense has given rise to baseless speculation, in Alaska and elsewhere.    *       Plan now to join us: 4-7/8-03, Arctic Gas Symposium, Calgary.

12-3-02 Updates: 00:26, 00:43, 11:13, 11:20 ET.  ADN by Mike Chambers-Alaska provides about 17 percent of the nation's domestic oil supply, and during the campaign Murkowski pledged to pursue policies that will lead to a 3 percent increase in oil production beginning in 2005.  Oil accounts for about 80 percent of the state's revenues, and as production declines -- it is about half of its 1988 peak of 2 million barrels a day -- so too do state revenues.  North Slope oil production is expected to dip below 1 million barrels a day, but prices are expected to be high, according to a state Department of Revenue forecast released last week.  (See our earlier report and link to the forecast.)     *      Juneau Empire by Timothy Inklebarger-Juneau residents and other Alaskans filled Centennial Hall today to witness the swearing-in of Frank Murkowski as the eighth person to become governor of the state. Alaska Supreme Court Justice Walter Carpeneti administered the oath of office in the midday ceremony. Carpeneti also swore in Lt. Gov. Loren Leman (NGP Photo), who needed a last-minute helicopter ride to make it into fog-shrouded Juneau.     *       Whitehorse Star by Chuck Tobin-Premier Dennis Fentie unveiled his cabinet Saturday afternoon before hundreds of Yukoners who packed the government administration building to witness the ceremony.    *     NNS by Thorunn Howatt, Yellowknife  - A Mackenzie Delta idea could soon be spreading throughout the territories' petroleum patches.  The SHARE group was formed during last year's Delta exploration boom to provide guidelines for a responsible workforce. SHARE stands for safety, health and respect for the environment.  "We feel real comfortable with what we did in the Delta. Now is the time to expand this to the rest of the Northwest Territories," said Anadarko Canada's safety coordinator, Dave Johnston.

12-02 Updates:  00:02, 02:14, 11:50, 12:55, 13:39, 17:40 ET.Alaska has a new governor today.  After 22 years in the United States Senate, Frank Murkowski was sworn in at noon.  (NGP Photo-9-23-02)  --  CBC-WHITEHORSE - Promising a 'new era of governance' for Yukon, Dennis Fentie and his Yukon Party were officially sworn in as government of the territory Saturday. ... Archie Lang– Energy Mines and Resources, Yukon Development Corporation and Yukon Energy

• Please see our report and photos on Alaska's fiscal outlook:  Northern Gas Pipelines asked if the department could project state income from an Alaska Highway gas project based on market trends.

• Please see our report and photos on the Trans Alaska Pipeline System state lease renewal. (NGP Photos: Governor Tony Knowles-right, and Natural Resources Commissioner Pat Pourchot).

Anchorage Daily News by Tim Bradner (NGP Photo-below, 5-23-02)-...Murkowski should show similar leadership and put the gas pipeline at the top of his development to-do list. He should assign a team of knowledgeable and tough negotiators to tackle the task -- and as soon as possible. ...if ANWR is opened, there might be no need to even go offshore with this route. A land corridor across ANWR could be possible.  By then the northern route could become irresistible to the industry and, frankly, the majority of U.S. consumers who will be able to get Alaska gas a lot cheaper. And who could blame them?  (Comment: If Bradner is correct and a northern route could provide gas to consumers, "a lot cheaper", that would translate to higher wellhead prices, industry profits and income to Alaska.  We've seen little attention given a project offering more revenue to a state facing a $1billion/year deficit in 2005.  Higher industry profits might also attract more drilling success to maintain Alyeska oil pipeline volumes.  Perhaps it's time for the state to give emotion a holiday and analyze the facts.  -dh)    *     Voice of the Times, AND- JOHN KATZ has served Alaska well for almost 20 years. A man with a keen mind and prodigious memory, Katz has been a principal adviser on Washington matters to five Alaska governors.  At 59, Katz is not ready to retire, but he wants to try something new. He would like to return to Alaska, where he was commissioner of natural resources under Govs. Jay Hammond and Bill Sheffield. But family ties in the Washington area may keep him there.   Whatever he does next, Katz will undoubtedly do well. He is a tremendous resource for Alaska and hopefully Alaska will continue to draw on his talents and remarkable understanding of the workings of Washington.  John Katz has done much for Alaska. He may need a rest, but Alaska should continue to draw on his advice whenever and however possible.   (Katz has been a star performer for Alaska on all oil & gas matters in the Capital and will leave big shoes to fill.  -dh)      *     Anchorage Daily News by Jon Little-Jobs are on the chopping block as the Agrium chemical fertilizer plant, a cornerstone of the Kenai Peninsula economy, battles a temporary natural gas shortage. Layoffs probably will be part of the cost-cutting until the problem is resolved, said Mike Nugent, general manager of Agrium's Kenai Nitrogen Operations.     *     ANCHORAGE (Reuters) by Yereth Rosen- Three days after the state of Alaska formally extended a 30-year lease for the trans-Alaska oil pipeline, the Bureau of Land Management on Friday formally recommended that the federal government do the same. The BLM released its final environmental impact statement on renewal of the right-of-way grant that allows the 800-mile pipeline to operate over federal lands. The pipeline crosses 372 miles of federal territory. The remainder of the corridor is state land or land owned by Alaska Native groups or other entities. … The pipeline carries about 1 million barrels of oil daily, or nearly a fifth of domestically produced oil. It has already shipped more than 13.5 billion barrels of oil, and the BLM estimates it will transport at least another 8.9 billion barrels, not including any possible production from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The BLM and Department of Interior must wait at least 30 days after the release of the final environmental impact statement before formally extending the right-of-way grant, said BLM spokesman Rob McWhorter.  The environmental impact review was ordered in 1999 by President Clinton's BLM director, Sylvia Baca. Although the pipeline had been in operation since 1979, Baca believed a full environmental review was justified "because of the great import and significance of TAPS," said Rhea DoBosh, (NGP Photo) spokeswoman for the Joint Pipeline Office, the consortium of federal and state agencies that regulate pipeline. … "We take this very seriously, protecting the environment and making sure that pipeline is maintained and in shape to take us through the next 30 years," she said. "This is the lifeblood of the state here."  (See our State lease renewal story here.)