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Northern Gas Pipelines, (Alaska Gas Pipeline, Denali - The Alaska Gas Pipeline, Mackenzie Valley Gas Pipeline, Alaska Highway Gas Pipeline, Northern Route Gas Pipeline, Arctic Gas, LNG, GTL) is your public service, objective, unbiased 1-stop-shop for Arctic gas pipeline projects and people, informal and rich with new information, updated 30 times weekly and best Northern Oil & Gas Industry Links on the Internet.  Find AAGPC, AAGSC, ANGTL, ANNGTC,  ANGDA, ANS, APG, APWG, ANGTA, ANGTS, AGPPT, ANWR, ARC, CARC, CAGPL, CAGSL, FPC, FERC, GTL, IAEE, LNG, NEB, NPA, TAGS, TAPS, NARUC, IOGCC, CONSUMER ENERGY ALLIANCE, AOGA,AOGCC, RCA and more...

2009 LINKS: FERC Reports to Congress, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7....; USGS Arctic Gas Estimates; MMS hearings: RDC, Our NGP, AJOC, DH, ADN, KTUU; Enstar Bullet Line: Map and News Links; ANGDA; Alaska Energy Forum; Prosperity Alaska

2008 LINKS: Shell Alaska OCS Study; Mackenzie Gas Project EIS; Join the Alaska Gas Pipeline Blog Discussion; Governor Sarah Palin's AGIA Links; 2007 ACES tax bill links; Department of Revenue 2007 ACES tax documents;  2007 ACES tax Presentations; 2007 ACES tax news; Alaska Gas Pipeline Training and Jobs; Gas Pipeline and Economic Development; Andrew Halcro; Bjørn Lomborg; FERC's Natural Gas Website Links

WASHINGTON: Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act; History of H.R. 4; DOE Energy Bill Position, 6-02; Daschle-Bingaman Energy Bill (Alaska, Sec. 1236 & tax credit, Sec. 2503 & H.R. 4 Conferees), Tax Credit; See amendments, "Energy Policy Act of 2002";  "Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act of 2001 (Draft)" & Background Paper, 8-9-01;Alaska Legislature Joint Committee position; Governor's position; Governor's 10-Point Plan; Anadarko Analysis; U.S. Senate Energy Committee Testimony, 10-2-01 - text version;  U.S. Senate Energy Committee Testimony, 9-14-00; Report on the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Act of 1971, prepared by staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 1-18-01

ALASKA: 1-23-03, Governor Frank Murkowski's State of the State Speech; 2002 DRAFT Recommendations to 2003 Legislature; '02 Alaska Legislation; Alaska Highway Natural Gas Pipeline Policy Council; Joint Legislative Gas Pipeline Committee; 9-01 Alaska Models: Canadian Routes, LNG, GTL; HR 4 Story; Cook Inlet Supply-Demand Report: AEDC; Commonwealth North Investigation & Our Article; Report: Backbone; Legislature Contacts; State Gas Pipeline Financing Study; 5-02 Alaska Producer Update; Kenai: "Oil & Gas Industry Issues and Activities Report, 11-02"; Alaska Oil & Gas Tax Structure; 2-27-02 Royalty Sale Background; Alaska Gas Pipeline Office opens, 7-01, and closes, 5-02; Betty Galbraith's 1997-1998 Chronology Our copy.

CANADA: 1-10-03, "Arctic Gas Pipeline Construction Impacts On Northern Transp."-Transport Canada-PROLOG Canada Inc.-The Van Horne Institute;Hill Times Reports, 8-30-02; 9-30-02, Cons. Info. Requirements; CBC Archives, Berger Commission; GNWT Economic Impact Study, 5-13-02; GNWT-Purvin & Gertz Study, 5-8-02; Alberta-Alaska MOU 6-02; Draft Pan- Northern Protocol for Oil and Gas Development; Yukon Government Economic Effects: 4-02 & PPT; Gas Pipeline Cooperation Plan Draft & Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board Mackenzie Valley Pipeline MOU Draft, 6-01; FirstEnergy Analysis: 10-19-01; Integrated Delta Studies; National Post on Mackenzie Pipeline, 1-02;Northern Pipeline Act;  Haida Nation v. British Columbia; Indian Claims Commission; Skeena Cellulose decision -- aboriginal consultations required, 12-02; Misc. Pipeline Studies '02

COMPANIES: Alaska Gas Producers Pipeline Team Newsletter, 7-27-01; APG Newsletter: 5-02, 7-02 & 9-02; ArctiGas NEB PIP Filing Background; NRGPC Newsletter: Fall-02;  4-02 ArctiGas Reduces Field Work; BP's Natural Gas Page; Enbridge Perspective; Foothills Perspective; Williams Perspective; YPC Perspective, 7-02

 MEDIA REFERENCE: Alaska Journal of Commerce; Alaska Inc. Magazine; Anchorage Daily News; Canadian Broadcasting Corporation; Fairbanks Daily News Miner, Juneau Empire; Northern News Services; Oil & Gas Reporter; Petroleum News Alaska; Whitehorse Star, etc.

EXTENDED CONFERENCE NEWS: Alaska Support Industry Alliance, Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Canadian Institute, Insight Information, Inuvik Petroleum Shows, International Association of Energy Economists, Resource Development Council for Alaska, Ziff Energy Group

 

LEST WE FORGET!

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

Northern Gas Pipelines: Alaska Support Industry Alliance, 2002

2001-02 President Bob Stinson, President, Conam Construction Co. (1-02)

2002-03 President Jack Laasch, Executive Vice President, Natchiq, Inc. (10-02)

Alliance General Manager, Larry Houle (2-02)

 See 2001 Alliance Archives Here

2002 Activities

 

12-13-02.  Alaska MMS Regional Director John Goll (NGP Photo) addressed the Alliance this morning, drawing attention to the draft environmental impact statement for two proposed federal OCS oil and gas lease sales in Cook Inlet, now available for public comment (Draft multiple sale EIS).  In an upbeat presentation, Goll named three Alaska goals of his agency: "Increasing access to prospective areas; Ensuring clarity of permitting regimes; and Considering reasonable offshore incentives."  Goll acknowledged concerns about Kenai Peninsula and Southcentral Alaska gas supplies, estimating undiscovered gas potential in the area to range between .7-2.5Tcf.  Attracting industry investment requires that, "...agencies stick to the rules... multiple agencies come to the table...involving the senior management of regulatory agencies...."  He said that President George Bush, upon taking office, issued Executive order 13212 requiring that as environmental safeguards are maintained, energy projects will be expedited.  Pete Stokes of Unocal (NGP Photo, 11-01) asked Goll about prospects for relaxing drilling restrictions in the Beaufort.  Goll noted the differences between state policies and federal rules.  "State law requires mechanical cleaning whereas MMS can permit other alternatives such as burning in situ or mining," he said.   He said that credits should be allocated for improvements in technology and procedure.  "According to a recent Nation Research Council report 'Oil in the Sea III', the offshore industry has greatly improved, and most of the oil in the sea now is run-off or other sources from on-shore," he said, with regard to man-made causes in North America.  (See MMS Oil Spill Facts)  Regulatory Commission of Alaska member Patty DeMarco (NGP Photo) urged more permit approval coordination and Goll agreed.  Below: 12-13-02 NGP Photos of event participants (left - right: Jack Laasch, Executive Vice President, Natchiq Inc. (Alliance President); Dave Haugen, Vice President, Lynden Inc.; Alliance members; Dave Haugen, President Emeritus-Alliance; Nick Karnos, Account Manager, Northern Air Cargo; Don Dunham, Asset Manager-Point Thompson, BP;  Bill Hutmacher, Program Manager, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation):

 

12-7/8 Weekend Updates:   BALLOT MEASURE #3. ADN by Larry Houle-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.

11-22-02.  Valdez Star--The man who led the battle against Proposition 3 was Larry Houle, general manager of the Alaska Industry Support Alliance.

10-18-02.  Alliance President Jack Laasch (NGP Photo-left) Introduced ConocoPhillips Alaska President, Dr. Kevin O. Meyers (NGP Photo-right), who proceeded to give a worldwide briefing on company assets and industry position modeled after an earlier presentation by Rob McKee, EVP-Exploration & Production and John Carrig, EVP-Finance & CFO. 

Laasch had earlier asked Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Michele Brown (NGP Photo) to the podium where she presented Pollution Prevention Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Waste Reduction to Alliance members Douglas Stephens (NGP Photo-right) of Schlumberger and John Davis (NGP Photo-far right) of Western Geco.  (PLEASE SEE OTHER EVENT PHOTOS HERE.)

Meyers briefed Alliance members on the recent evolution of the company, describing recent acquisitions of Phillips (ARCO and Tosco) and Conoco (Gulf).  The final ConocoPhillips merger earlier this year resulted in creation of the third largest oil & gas company in the U.S. and the country's largest refiner.  The company markets under a number of well known brands, including: Conoco, Phillips 66, Mobil (in the North East), Exxon (in the Mid Atlantic region), and Union 76 (in the West).  The company owns about a third of Duke Energy Services. 

Upstream, ConocoPhillips is the sixth largest oil reserves owner, of which 27% is attributed to Alaska.  The company is the world's 6th largest producer, is #5 in the Lower 48, #5 in Canada, #4 in the North Sea and #1 in Alaska.  It operates in 49 countries worldwide.  "Our objective," he said, "is to grow our assets.  We will be disproportionately investing upstream in the future."

Of more interest to our Canadian readers was Meyers' reference to Syncrude activity which remains a priority of the company in near term, mid term and long term (2008-10) planning.

Focusing on Alaska, Meyers reminded Alliance members that ConocoPhillips is Alaska's largest oil producer, is a 26.7% owner of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and is dedicated to achieving Alaska North Slope gas sales within a decade.

"Last year," he said, "gas producers spent $125 million on a work program to quantify costs and benefits and identify risks associated with a gas pipeline."  He said the next step is to justify and mitigate risks associated with a gas pipeline project and highlighted the value of the energy bill now under Congressional consideration.  The bill provides an expedited review process for an Alaska gas pipeline and federal support to mitigate risk.  He said that when Congress returns from its mid-term election break, the energy bill conference could complete its work and that, "...we will be working with everyone involved to resolve the issues."

At the conclusion of his presentation, Meyers showed an Alaska landscape slide, the lowered sun half below a horizon, suggesting it could be either a sunrise or sunset.  He said Alaska contained a 'legacy asset' for ConocoPhillips, reminding the audience that Alaska investments compete with other worldwide opportunities.  He suggested that members help in establishing "a positive, and fiscally stable environment" for investors.  "Over the next few years," he said, "we'll struggle with the state's fiscal gap."  He said the state would make a mistake if it turned to the oil and gas industry to fill the fiscal gap.  He said improving the state's permitting (regulatory) process could help.  He added that such positive changes would attract 'new players' but that fiscal issues would cause them to weigh their decisions carefully.  Positive changes and new players, he said, could assure that Alaska was facing a sunrise and not a sunset, that the state would attract new discoveries rather than being left to "manage declining resources."

In a question period, your author asked for Meyers' position on Ballot Proposition #3 (described below) with special attention to the eminent domain feature of the legislation a positive vote would create.  He said the industry had worked hard to identify ways of moving North Slope gas to market.  He said, "there is no law that will force industry to invest in an uneconomic project."  Meyers said his and other companies had researched LNG concepts and, "do not see an economic project."  On the eminent domain issue, Meyers asked, "How would you react as an investor?  ...this could have a catastrophic impact in Alaska."

Former Alliance president, Bob Stinson asked if there could be other legislation than the energy bill to support Alaska gas pipeline progress.  Meyers said a stand-alone bill is less likely to be approved than gas pipeline provisions within a larger energy bill.

(Note: since our objective is accuracy of archives, Northern Gas Pipelines invites anyone to provide us with additions or corrections to our reports.  -dh)

10-11-02.  Ballot Measure 3

References: Ballot Language, The New Statute, Outline of Statutory Provisions, Anchorage Chamber Forum, and Proponents

Earlier this month, the author participated in an Anchorage Chamber of Commerce forum featuring a proponent and an opponent of Ballot Measure 3, which, if approved in the November 2002 general election, would create the “Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority.”  Links to the Chamber forum are above, along with ballot language and – importantly – the statutory language every voter would be responsible for putting in place with a ‘yes’ vote. 

Yesterday's Alliance breakfast in Anchorage featured an economic review of Ballot Measure 3 (BM3), the Alaska Natural Gas Authority.  Alliance President Jack Laasch introduced General Manager Larry Houle (NGP Photo-r, with Band ANWR's Gary Webster-l) to describe BM3 and economist Roger Marks (of the Alaska Department of Revenue, NGP Photo-l) described policy implications and implementation of the law which passage of BM3 would create.

Marks said that citizens entering the voting booth will see only a paragraph of language.  “If they vote for it,” he said, “they will unknowingly approve an 11 page statute.”  He described the new government entity created by the statute: its board, mission, staff, powers and budget.  He drew the Alliance audience’s attention to several ‘findings’ of the new statute that are “particularly disturbing”.  Finding #7 says Alaska’s producing companies, “…have competing gas reserves in other parts of the world vying for the same markets, creating a conflict of interest for them in advancing the sales of Alaska gas.”  Marks pointed out that a company with only Alaska gas reserves would have the same difficulty marketing high-cost ANS gas.  Finding #9 again refers to alleged conflicts of interest and says, “…it may be necessary to take the gas back.”  Approval of and action upon this concept could result in a new era of litigation. 

Marks described gas pipeline economic considerations to the audience and contrasted them with oil pipeline efficiency.  “In 1973” he said, “Alaska couldn’t build the oil line fast enough.”  Four times more BTUs can be transported in an oil pipeline than in the same size gas pipeline.  The pipeline itself costs ‘about the same’, he said, but transportation costs in a gas pipeline will consume much of the gas value.  He said that in any market, “…consumers buy lower cost gas first.  Alaska’s geography, its distance from the market, makes it high cost, ‘end of the line’ gas, he said.

Since the new “Authority” would have the power of eminent domain, Marks suggested there could be a threat to the producers of ‘coercive action’.   The creation of an Authority with such powers, in itself, would be a distraction to other ‘serious’ gas pipeline projects, he pointed out.

Marks said the Authority’s charge to produce a plan of action in a year was unrealistic.  He noted that Alaska gas producers had spent $150 million in the last year and one-half on a pre-feasibility study of the most feasible two gas pipeline alternatives.  He noted the $250 million Mackenzie Valley gas pipeline feasibility study now underway.  He said the state did not have ready funds for such studies, that investors would be difficult to identify.  He said that the entire concept of a 100% debt financed mega-project—especially in wake of the Enron catastrophe—worked against investor interest in a project without the underpinning of equity investment.

The author visited with Alliance General Manager, Larry Houle, following the presentation.  Houle said, ““Companies have looked very hard at the LNG commercialization option for many years, spent millions of dollars to determine that Alaskan LNG is too costly to bring to markets.  The Pacific Rim”, he said, “has over 20 times the reserves of Alaska’s North Slope, all at tidewater.  The cost of the 800 mile pipeline, required to get Alaskan LNG to market, would provide Alaska gas with the highest marginal cost on the market.”

Asked about competing LNG projects, Houle said, “Alaska cannot currently compete with other Pacific Rim LNG projects.  Not only are other projects not burdened with long pipelines but, they are closer to the end-user markets than Alaska. “

Houle seemed particularly aware of the new statute’s effect on Alaska’s oil industry.  “Several of the Initiative’s provisions, like the eminent domain section … give me great concern.  This Ballot Measure, if passed, could be devastating,” he added.  “It provides for one specific, non-economic pipeline from the North Slope to Tidewater, thereby eliminating other gasline options.  Since when is it a prudent business decision to eliminate options?” 

(Note: Northern Gas Pipelines always invites additions or corrections to its reports, as accuracy of our permanent archives is our goal. Wishing the photographer always did justice to the photogenic models, we nevertheless provide several event photos below....  -dh

 

Mark Huber

Mike Abbott-l & Larry Houle

Gail Phillips

Loren Leman & Jack Laasch

David MacDowell & Patty Bielowski

Roger Marks

Jack Williams-l & Ken Freeman

Gary Webster

 

9-24-02.  Honorable Spencer Abraham, U.S. Secretary of Energy (NGP Photo, 9-23-02-l), addressed the Alliance's 23rd Alliance Annual Meeting last night, surrounded by a big collection of Alaska's business and political leadership.  Alliance President, Bob Stinson (NGP photo-above), Conam Construction Co.) welcomed Abraham and a sold out Sheraton Anchorage ballroom of executives from throughout Alaska, then invited Governor Tony Knowles (NGP Photo, 9-23-02) to the podium. 
 
Knowles thanked Abraham and his wife, Jane, for "...a lifetime of public service," and said that Alaskans, "...deeply appreciate your championing the opening of ANWR."  He lauded the Alliance's leadership saying, "...no other industry fuels Alaska like the oil patch.  Through innovative partnerships, new legislation and aggressive marketing, together we've revitalized Alaska's oil and gas industry."  Knowles announced that earlier in the day, Natural Resources Commissioner Pat Pourchot, signed a memorandum of agreement with ExxonMobil positioning the state as a "one-stop-shopping center for permits" related to development of the company's Point Thomson field on the North Slope.  Anchorage business consultant, Dick LaFever, will coordinate the effort among the parties.  Then, with Secretary Abraham listening intently, Knowles read a '300 word' statement he sent yesterday in response to last Friday's Wall Street Journal gas pipeline editorial.  (You may click here for Governor Knowles' complete speech, which includes his WSJ editorial response.)
 
Stinson asked US Senator Frank Murkowski, traveling with Secretary Abraham, to the podium. Murkowski emphasized to the audience the importance of this week's energy bill Conference meeting, saying that some provisions may have missed the attention of Alaskans.  These include an effort to provide a 'heavy oil tax credit of $3/bbl," giving substantial incentive for development of billions of barrels of Alaska North Slope viscous oil reserves; and, programs to reduce the cost of electricity in rural and remote areas.  He said that without "Washington's help", the risk involved in building a $20 billion pipeline project would be "too large and the gas would stay in the ground."  He acknowledged that Interior Secretary Gale Norton has said that if ANWR is not approved by the Congress, she will recommend that the President not approve an energy bill.  Then, in providing a final introduction to the Secretary, he said, "At every turn in the road, Spence Abraham has been a committed ally of Alaskans."
 
Abraham's Alaska visit yesterday ended a trip to Japan for meetings with oil ministers and he urged Congress to pass the President's energy legislation.  He spoke in support of domestic production in ANWR.  "We need ANWR; we need a new pipeline to bring Alaska gas to the Lower 48; we need electricity law reforms; and we need Congressional passage of the other recommendations the Administration has advocated....  We need the energy security and the jobs such legislation will create," he said.  Offering bi-partisan kudos (which we consider both justified and smart), he said, "I give Congress, and particularly Senators Murkowski and Jeff Bingaman, and Chairman Billy Tauzin and Congressman John Dingell a great deal of credit for moving forward in such a constructive way over the last year.  With their leadership and your support, I believe we will succeed."  (Later today, you may click here for Secretary Abraham's' complete speechPlease see our editorial opinion belowDon't miss our Alliance photo gallery.)
 
9-24-02 Commentary (revised, 13:05 ET):
"A Chapter in the History Books"
 
The Alliance event, to an observer and member of the organization, was a great success.  Secretary Abraham reflected the Administration's wholehearted commitment to ANWR and gas pipeline development.  Reciprocating, Governor Knowles and Senator Murkowski expressed admiration for the Administration's work and for the diligence of Secretaries Abraham and Norton.  Northern Gas Pipelines readers know there is a bigger story playing out behind the scenes and we recall that "Politics is the art of compromise."  The Administration and their Canadian counterparts have expressed a free enterprise philosophy that we so much respect: "let the market and the investors determine the routing and financing of a pipeline with minimal government interference (with the exception of expediting legislation and large project loan guarantees)."   We would have preferred this approach all along.  We believe it would have produced quicker projects, of higher value, with less intrigue, complexity and ill-will.  But that is ancient history and the sides are now committed: all or nothing...or perhaps compromise?  After tough negotiations between Congressional and White House staff from August through this week, all parties have come to know that for an energy bill to pass, compromise will be required.  ANWR, ethanol and other issues aside, for the moment, a spectacular development is evolving with respect to gas pipelines.  Today's Canadian news report expresses optimism for Federal funding of the Aboriginal Pipeline Group's (APG's) participation in the high-momentum Mackenzie Valley Pipeline. That would be a different version of Federal support than Prime Minister Chrétien has opposed on the U.S. side. Congress has set a September deadline for energy bill work this year and Iraq confrontation is fast approaching, along with the need for maximizing domestic energy production. President Bush may be able to succeed in derailing the Congress' northern route prohibition, but if he does not accept Alaska gas pipeline incentives, here's a pessimistic scenario.  No Alaska pipeline will be built at this time.  The U.S. will satisfy its growing demand for natural gas with cheap LNG imports and other sources.  The Mackenzie line will move ahead and be built. By 2004, Alaska will be in deep, fiscal crisis and industry investment will be minimal.  Alaska will have a choice of piggybacking on the Mackenzie line via a northern route connection (i.e. made difficult with passage of prohibition laws), or possibly wait until the next decade for a project to be feasible.  Meanwhile, the U.S. will be paying for gas imports by exporting U.S. dollars, exacerbating the balance of payments deficit and also exporting jobs it could have had with an Alaska gas pipeline.  This will also hurt America's largest trading partner, Canada.  If the stars and other heavenly bodies soon come together, at just the right altitude and with just the right compromising attitude, an optimist might see this sort of scenario:
  • Canada supports the APG's investment in the Mackenzie Valley line and it becomes the prime gas supply for the bitumen producing areas of northern Alberta...not affecting the U.S. market.  It begins construction first.
  • The U.S. supports financial incentives for an Alaska Highway pipeline, not foreclosing on the northern--or any other--route for future consideration.  Hopefully, negotiators could identify a formula that other Canadian and US gas producing areas did not believe would 'distort' their markets.  Alaska producers and pipeliners begin initial phases of the Highway project, carefully coordinating timeframes, steel and labor supply with Canadian producers.  This is essential, to avoid exorbitant inflation of of specialized labor and materials.  LNG proponents have an opportunity at any time to stretch a leg from the Highway line down to Valdez or the Kenai Peninsula should they be able to properly identify 'economic feasibility'.
  • ANWR provides the currency to purchase ethanol provisions of an energy bill.
  • Environmentalists reluctantly accept that without the freedom provided by greater energy sufficiency, their own freedom to advance causes, attract contributions and speak freely is threatened.
  • With northern gas in full production future Arctic oil and gas discoveries multiply geometrically and descendents inherit a legacy for which they are thankful.  Fall, 2002, captures a chapter in American and Canadian history books.     -dh

 

9-24-02.  BALLOT INITIATIVE NO. 3.  Yesterday, Anchorage Chamber Chairman George Vakalis, moderated presentations both for and against Ballot Initiative No. 3, first introducing Northern Gas PipelinesDave Harbour to provide an objective briefing on the initiative itself.  Scott Heyworth (NGP Photo-r) spoke in favor of the initiative and Larry Houle (NGP Photo-l) opposed the initiative.  (PLEASE CLICK FOR OUR COMPLETE REPORT, PHOTOS AND PRESENTATION DOWNLOADS. -dh )
 
 
6-4-02 Updates:  01:07, 01:33, 11:31, 12:14, 14:25, 18:55 ET.  Premier Ralph Klein and Governor Tony Knowles today signed a memorandum of cooperation.  At the same noon forum, the Alaska Support Industry Alliance's president, Bob Stinson (CONAM Construction Co.) signed a memorandum of understanding with Roger L. Soucy, President of the Petroleum Services Association of Canada.  Above right, left to right: Larry Houle, Alliance General Manager, Klein and Knowles standing; Soucy and Stinson seated.)  Click here for the day's photo gallery.  Below is our complete report.  Below the report, are document download links.
Alaska, Alberta and Support Industries Sign Cooperation Pacts
Gov. Tony Knowles (NGP Photo-l) and Alberta Premier Ralph Klein (NGP Photo-r) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding and cooperation between the two governments following talks between the two leaders.  The Memorandum calls for the appointment of a council of Alaskans and Albertans to advance areas of cooperation from energy development and improved transportation links to aboriginal issues and northern health improvements.  "With work underway toward development of an Alaska Highway natural gas pipeline that would deliver gas to North American markets through Alberta’s vital energy hub, it is high time to formalize our relationship to ensure we both benefit from such development," said Knowles, who spoke with Klein before a meeting of the Alaska Support Industry Alliance in Anchorage. "Alaska enjoys close contact with our immediate neighbors in the Yukon and British Columbia. The  strengthening of friendly and mutually beneficial bilateral relations with Alberta is the next logical step in our developing relationship with Canada." 
    "Alberta and Alaska share much in common--northern  climates, abundant natural resources, thriving oil and gas industries, and strong pioneer spirits," Klein said in a press release issued by his office.  "This will be a good opportunity to forge closer and more formal linkages between our governments."  In remarks to the Alliance meeting today, Knowles noted current economic ties between Alaska and Alberta as well as promising opportunities.
    Canada is Alaska’s number 3 trading partner, with Alaska exports to Canada jumping 14 percent last year. Knowles recently named an Alberta-based company that operates in Kenai, Agrium, as the 2001 Governor’s Exporter of the Year.  The Governor also noted that a Calgary company, EnCana Corporation, was among the successful bidders in Monday’s oil and gas lease sale in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. That follows last month’s state North Slope Foothills oil and gas lease sale in which Canadian firms helped the sale set a record for the single largest acreage sale in Alaska’s history.
    Under the Memorandum of Understanding Alaska and Alberta agree to pursue the following objectives:
a) To promote common goals by encouraging cooperation and understanding between governments, businesses, legislators, and citizens of Alaska and Alberta;
b) To develop informal dispute avoidance and resolution processes to address potential cross border concerns;
c) To work cooperatively to influence our respective federal governments' policies and decisions in areas of interest to both regions, in recognition of the fact that certain issues are beyond the jurisdiction of Alaska and Alberta;
d) To learn from each other's best practices and the world-class expertise in specific sectors that are found in both jurisdictions.
    Members of the Alaska-Alberta Bilateral Council will provide direction on bilateral issues, review achievements, and explore new areas for cooperation.  Council delegates will include legislators, government officials, and representatives of private industry. Meetings of the Council will be held annually, alternating between Alaska and Alberta.  "While the gasline is an obvious, immediate link between Alaska and Alberta, the Council will facilitate cooperation in a number of others areas," Knowles said, including:
* Transportation, including the Alaska Highway and exploring the viability of establishing direct
commercial air service between Alaska and Alberta;
* Aboriginal issues, including resource development, tourism, education, health and wellness, and culture;
* Trade and investment, including business information exchanges and joint business partnership
opportunities;
* Northern sustainable development issues, including cold weather technology, environment, and
telecommunications;
* Northern health issues, including rural sanitation, air quality, and wild and traditional food safety;
and,
* Tourism including marketing.
    Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, Knowles and Klein witnessed the
signing of a similar agreement formalizing communications between the Alaska Support Industry
Alliance with its Canadian counterpart, the Petroleum Services Association of Canada.  In part, the document called bilateral cooperation between the two organizations "desirable and warranted" based on broad, shared goals and objectives as well as the "potential development of a cross-border pipeline to carry Arctic natural gas to market."  The two organizations then resolved to, "...establish a relationship founded on international friendship, a desire to ensure coordination and cooperation and a resolve to work closely to achieve common objectives...."
    Following Tuesday’s activities in Anchorage, Premier Klein left for Dawson in the Yukon Territory for a meeting of Premiers of Western Provinces. Gov. Knowles will join Klein and other premiers in the Dawson meeting today and Thursday.  (See related 6-4-02 story.)
DOWNLOADS: 
5-24-02: Yesterday, Dr. Scott Goldsmith, discussed the state fiscal crisis (i.e. as he has for the past two-plus decades) at this spring's last semi-weekly meeting of the Alaska Support Industry Alliance.  Goldsmith, Director of the University of Alaska's Institute for Social and Economic Research, provided an updated review of 'A Generic Fiscal Plan for Alaska', presented to the Alaska House of Representatives Finance Committee on March 19.  He said Alaska's annual budget is larger than most people think, over $8 billion.  The $2.404 operating budget is typically discussed, of which only about $400 million comes from non-oil sources.  An additional $2.082 billion comes from restricted Federal sources, about half of which is used for operating expenses and the balance for capital projects.  Permanent fund earnings consist of about $1.799 billion and 'other' areas of $1.748 billion are off-budget items such as the Airport.  All of the $8 billion in public funds spent annually are about half of Alaska's household income of approximately $16 billion.  In 1999, Goldsmith said Alaska spent about 275% per capita of the national average for state expenditures.  He said that if that figure were adjusted to eliminate unusually large, recent Federal appropriations, a cost of living adjustment and Permanent Fund distributions, Alaska would only be spending about 146% of the median per capita state expenditures.  He said that between 1991 and 2001 Alaska's population had increased by over 10% with prices up 20%.  During the decade, however, general fund spending was down 12 % in nominal terms, 30% factoring in inflation, though some of the spending had been shifted into the 'off-budget' category.  Having laid a base, he then suggested a phase-in of other revenue sources.  Alaska is spending about $1billion/year more than it takes in.  The balance is debited from its savings account, the Constitutional Budget Reserve (CBR), fast depleting.  Goldsmith's new revenue sources are timed to match the exhaustion of the CBR, projected for the fall of 2004.  Goldsmith says the fiscal situation, "...is primarily a political problem, not an economic problem."  His Generic Fiscal Plan, is intended to offer a technical solution to the economic challenge which is politically palpable.  Its guiding principles are that it is: fair, sustainable, realistic, gradual, complete, positive, flexible, efficient, stable and transparent.  Please download the entire presentation of 'A Generic Fiscal Plan' here.  During a question and answer period, Goldsmith said he was optimistic based on effort of the House of Representatives this spring to pass a long-range fiscal plan, though the Senate balked.  When it is ultimately passed, he said, "...clearly the tax regime will change."  (Northern Gas Pipelines has long linked resolution of Alaska's fiscal crisis to fiscal certainty for gas pipeline investors; see latest here.  ***and***  Please see yesterday's report of other economists commenting on Alaska gas pipeline strategy, here.     *     In other matters, Alliance general manager, Larry Houle (NGP Photo, 5-23-02), said the organization was involved in upcoming meetings with Premier Ralph Klein of Alberta and Alaska officials.  A lunch will occur on June 4 in Anchorage.  The Alliance and Petroleum Services Association of Canada will sign a memorandum of mutual cooperation.  Houle thanked Alliance board members emeriti Chuck Becker and Dave Haugen for their guidance in bringing the organizations together.     *     Sally Ann Carey (NGP Photo, 5-23-02), has long and faithfully provided Alliance members with a useful, humorous weekly 'safety minute'.  Today, she urged members throughout the summer to simply "think".  With cell phone, traffic and other distractions accidents are always a threat.  President Bob Stinson (of Conam Construction Company) presented Carey with a well-deserved plaque for her service: "For your spirit, for your dedication, for your volunteerism, for your contributions to health, safety and the Alaska environment."  (NGP Photos below: Other meeting participants included Mary Shields, Tim Bradner, Mike Ryan and Ann Spohnholz.
 
 
1-25: Special Report....Sheraton Anchorage Hotel:  Review Tony Hopfinger's excellent, Anchorage Daily News pieces: Phillips Alaska Inc. wants Congress to streamline federal permitting and protect the company from low prices before it will move ahead with a North Slope natural gas pipeline to the Lower 48.  One of the conference's 'breaking news' items was Phillips' Vice President of Government Relations, Don Duncan (Photo-left), describing a price floor for Alaska North Slope gas prices, structured through tax credits, assuring producers a minimum price of $1.25 per thousand cubic feet at the wellhead.  -dh   &   BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. is sitting on 7 billion barrels of North Slope oil and gas and wants to recover as much as it can over the coming decades, president Steve Marshall said Friday.   See Tim Bradner's related, Anchorage Daily News Story.     (While the author endeavors to produce accurate reports from meeting notes, he encourages all persons and offices named in this and other articles and readers-at-large to provide additions/corrections to ensure validity of the historical record.  -dh   ...Draft Revision: 1-28-02) 
 
While detailed reports are below, we shall provide you with access to actual presentations.  For links, look here after March 1. -dh
 
Pita Benz of Cook Inlet Region, Inc. graciously welcomed conferees and Alliance President, Bob Stinson -photo, left (Conam Construction Co.), set the stage by encouraging members not to focus on "managing the decline of our oil and gas industry".  Rather he urged a redoubling of effort to produce more oil, jobs, markets, infrastructure and, "a positive attitude and federal and state governments that are efficient and working with industry...."  Emphasizing the Alliance's 2002 legislative priority, he said, "Our State government must learn to live within our means like every Alaskan family must do."  (Many related stories below.)  He welcomed the many special guests attending from Washington, Juneau and elsewhere.
 

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation's Alaska Public Affairs Manager, Mark Hanley, introduced Mark L. Pease (Photo), the company's Vice President International/Alaska Operations.  Hanley said that Alaska, "...has to be a major part of North America's energy supply," and discussed the company's ten years of Alaska operations--with $430 million invested and $100 million planned for next year--and Anadarko's goal of finding, developing and marketing new sources of energy profitably.  Pease said he believed the current recession is concealing the true demand for natural gas and predicts gas will move to $3.50-4 in the next few years in order to keep up with growth.  He said that "those numbers work", in terms of supporting gas pipeline projects.  Of Alaska's role in U.S. energy policy he said, Alaska should have more input into how its resources are managed and keep pressure on national policy makers.  Then he advised the state to offer a more competitive business environment, featuring a stable tax regime, and an improved permitting and regulatory regime.  "Loosing even one day of a 90 day drilling season", he said, can pose serious problems and that regulatory delays are both "unnecessary and unacceptable".  The state has so much potential, he said, "...that we at Anadarko can see Alaska as solving the energy needs of our grand children."

Kevin O. Meyers, President of Phillips Alaska, Inc., introduced Duncan, shown above.  "Alaska is a legacy asset for Phillips," Meyers said.  While the company will drill 10 exploratory wells this winter, the company advises the state to maintain a, "continued stable fiscal environment," address the fiscal gap and develop efficient permitting systems.  While the company hasn't found a solution to movement of Alaska North Slope gas, he said, the company believes that part of the solution lies in passage of Federal enabling legislation (See draft of '...Pipeline Act...', left column under 'Washington') and state fiscal certainty.  (Note: while producers have suggested language for the former, lawmakers report having received no suggestions from producers concerning the fiscal certainty issue. -dh).   ...Duncan (Photo above) added that the Senate would probably begin debate on the energy bill within 2-3 weeks.  "It will be a very tough process," he said, "and interesting to watch."  While a gas pipeline project, he said, "...is not economic as we speak," it will eventually require the enabling legislation, financial incentives and a strong U.S./Canadian partnership.  While producers are together on the enabling legislation, he said Phillips was supporting the $1.25 price floor Federal guarantee.

Lynn Johnson (Dowland-Bach Corp., in photo-right, with Alastair M. Graham, Commercial Manager, BP Exploration {Alaska}, Inc.), Alliance boardmember introduced Lieutenant Governor Fran Ulmer (Photo-right), candidate for governor in the upcoming, November election.  Ulmer emphasized the importance the administration has placed on making land available: lease sales.  She complimented the gas producers as "heavy lifters" for their $100 million gas pipeline feasibility study and members of the Governor's Alaska Highway Natural Gas Pipeline Policy Council, focusing "on Alaska interests in gas pipeline projects."  She said the issue is shifting to Washington and her sincere hope is than there will be an "alignment of interests".  She added an understanding that, "...unless the economics work, it won't happen."  She also raised the concept of an independent audit, "...to assure that industry is vibrant for the long term."

Ulmer then introduced Governor Tony Knowles (Photo) who said, "The best social program is a good job", and projected the state will initiate 16 more area-wide lease sales on the North Slope in the next five years, adding his pleasure at the prospect of signing a bill appropriating over $1 million in support of ANWR advocacy efforts.  He said the ANS gas issue was moving on three fronts.  Congressional action; cutting costs to make a project economic ("We will build a road to 'yes'"); and developing a permitting and regulatory framework that will move a project forward while "protecting the interests of Alaska".  Knowles said his priorities lay in achieving a Highway routing, gaining Federal guarantees for Alaskan access to the gas, and supporting Federal efforts to minimize financial risks.  "No other project can bring this level of benefit to Alaska and America," he said.  Knowles also said "immediate action" is needed on a sustainable balanced budget, and that "if we continue the denial there will be a crisis and an economic disaster."  (See our related, Alliance stories below.)

ExxonMobil's Alaska Production Manager, Jack Williams, introduced Honourable Roger Simmons, P.C., Consul General of Canada (Photo-right).  Before making the introduction, Williams complimented the largely support industry audience, saying 2001 was the "best one-on-one year improvement in safety that I have ever seen, with a result that is truly world class."  Today represented Simmons' 18th trip to Alaska in the last 3.5 years.  On gas pipeline matters, Simmons said that the "push will come from gas producers, because they bear the brunt of the risk."  He said, "We are at a happy juncture, but it is a window.  While the prices have changed the need for gas remains."  He said the Canadian Federal government was "wedded" to a 'let-the-market-decide philosophy on gas transportation issues and that, "We are and are going to be route neutral.  We will facilitate the process.  We will honor the ANGTA agreement if that project is pursued."  He said if an ANGST project is not pursued, the government has no obligation.  "No matter what route you pick," he said, "you'll cross a lot of Canadian acreage.  We're in this together.  Let the industry decide; take us at face value on this."  He spoke of the countries' interdependence, close relationship and philosophical alignment.  "Count your blessings," he said, "that both the Canadian and American administrations will demand a gas project to be market driven.  And," he added, "count your blessings that the country across the border is not a Cuba."

U.S. Senator Frank Murkowski (Photo, with Consul General Simmons), also a candidate for governor, addressed Alliance members during the lunch hour, on the one hand lauding former Governor Walter J. Hickel's "Look North to the Future" slogan and on the other, urging that Alaska not, "...be led into a grave by a 'declining' mentality".  His presentation was rich with numbers and specifics.  ANWR may offer the country 5.6-16 billion barrels of oil,  assisting Alaska in continuing to provide the U.S. with 20% of its domestic production for another 20 years.  ANWR could provide the state with $1.6 billion in bonus bids alone.  It could provide the Federal treasury with over $30 billion and $200 million/year to Alaska.  On gas pipeline matters, Murkowski reported that:

  • Construction could begin as early as 2004-2005, with 3,500 jobs in Alaska, providing Alaska with over $200 million annually in revenue for the life of the project
  • It could provide clean burning energy to the state.

He intends to host a 'Gas Summit' in Washington on February 4, involving the various parties: Administration, Legislature, Pipeline Companies, Producers.  He said that the parties have accepted the invitations. Overall purpose of the meeting will be to, "determine the proper role for the Federal government."  He said that on February 11, he will support introduction of legislation to ban the 'over the top', northern gas pipeline route.  The bill would also guarantee open access for other North Slope gas producers and provide for Alaska control over in-state use of gas.  Murkowski said the ANWR issue has "turned", that "ANWR will be opened someday, but prospects have never been better than now."  He expressed the same concern of other speakers for the State's fiscal condition and was optimistic that cutting management layers, positive governmental restructuring and new technology could lead to lower costs.  He is optimistic on the prospects of developing billions of barrels of North Slope viscous oils, of expanding the reserves base, on methane hydrate and GTL potential and tailoring a more efficient permitting and regulatory system.

Mark G. Huber (Photo-right) of Doyon Universal Services, and Alliance board member, introduced Sherry Combs (Photo), Director of Supply Chain Management for BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. who, in turn, introduced Steve Marshal, President of the company.  While the news accounts linked in the first paragraph provide a good outline of Marshal's remarks and optimism, he also reminded the audience of an oil field's capability of growing in time.  Prudhoe Bay was first designed for an accumulation of 9.6 billion barrels and, 25 years later, 10.5 had been produced.  He then reported that, "the easy barrels have been found", but that satellites and continued effort would produce more proven reserves.  He said that in the coming year, BP will invest $700 million and expand daily production by another 120,000 barrels.  He said that expansion could be tripled in the next 30-50 years.  He also reinforced Murkowski's optimism for developing technology that could eventually produce such viscous oils as are found in the West Sak field.  On gas pipeline matters, Marshal said, "We will support any project that is competitive and has the complete support of Alaskan, Canadian and U.S. governments.  A competitive Alaska," he said, "is good for everyone; more competitive business means more jobs and state revenues."  He closed by supporting the oft spoken theme of this conference, the need for, "...stable, predictable fiscal regimes."

Shifting gears and attention from Alaska natural resource and fiscal issues, the Alliance presented Dan Vanlandingham (Photo), EDS Vice President, Americas for the Global Energy Industries Group.  Vanlandingham related a heightened world sensitivity to security issues in wake of 9-11, specifically as it applies to the oil and gas industry.  Various aspects of security requiring attention and proper solutions include: people,  operations, transportation, intellectual property.  He briefed the audience on new technology that provides solutions, including smart cards, biometrics, IFR, along with the importance of 'scenario planning' and codifying the knowledge of 'process mentors'.
 
Longtime Alliance board member and president-elect Jack Laasch of Natchiq Inc. (Photo, left-Mike O'Connor, Peak Oilfield Services; Laasch; Pete Leathard, VECO; and James Udelhoven, Udelhoven Oilfield Services, introduced John Ellwood (Photo-right), Executive Vice President & COO, Foothills Pipe Lines Ltd.  In spite of the fall from $10 to $2-range gas, Ellwood said, "the fundamental basis for an overland pipeline from Alaska through Canada to the lower 48 market remains strong."  He said the recession accounts for current, low prices but that "Electrical power generation is still the main driver of the growth of natural gas demand in the United States."  Even if projections by the Energy Information Administration in Washington were halved, he said, "demand would still grow by 10-15 Bcfd in the next ten years."  In addition to growth demand, Ellwood said that new wells don't produce as long as formerly and that decline rates in gas production from wells connected in 2000 range between 20-30%.  As to gas pipeline costs, he said improved technology would continue to reveal efficiencies for both construction and operational costs.  A big cost improvement could come, he said, by finding "ways to remove friction from the system...particularly during ... construction....  That means looking at ways to compress the time it takes to build the pipeline," he said, and cited areas for review including labor issues, environmental assessment timetables, socio-economic issues, regulatory approvals and construction contracts.  As to routing, Ellwood said Foothills, "has always advocated two pipelines as the best approach to commercializing the arctic reserves of Alaska and Canada."  But he cautioned that the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline project, "is not nearly as advanced as the Alaska Highway Project...."  He said the recent announcement by the Delta producers allays a Canadian concern about stranding Delta gas.  Ellwood disputed several of the assertions made earlier in the meeting by Phillips spokesman, Don Duncan, to the effect that a new Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline enabling act was required in the U.S.  He then said, "Success is possible only with the support and active efforts of all stakeholders."  Foothills is continuing to build cooperative relationships with Producers, new Pipeline Partners, Aboriginal Groups, Environmental Groups, Organized Labor and Governments, he said.

1-10: Alaska Representative Jim Whitaker, a gas reserves tax advocate whose recent newspaper column we linked for your information, addressed Alliance members at the Anchorage Petroleum Club; subject: "State's Comprehensive Budget & Fiscal Policy".   Members also heard from John Goll, Regional Director for Alaska of the U.S. Department of Interior Minerals Management Service.  Following are reports from those presentations:

Rep. Whitaker (Photo) is widely recognized for having sponsored a North Slope Gas reserves tax bill last spring.  Addressing an Alliance group dependent on a positive investment climate and industry investment, he said, "I look at you as a friendly but tough crowd".  Whitaker said the state is facing three crises:

  • A shrinking economy.  "We have the dubious honor," he said, "of being the fastest, shrinking economy in the U.S."
  • Budget shortfalls.   "We have a billion dollar deficit facing us in the coming fiscal year."  He said the Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund, with a current balance of about $2.8 billion is "...no longer sufficient for feeding deficits above $300 million annually ... and will be gone in about 2 1/2 years."  He repeated similar recent reports by Senate President Rick Halford and House Speaker Brian Porter that, "...we have cut $250 million from the budget in the last five years...and it was painful.  Had we not done that," he said, "our annual deficit would now be closer to $2 billion."
  • An ethnically based cultural clash.  He said that tightening budgets were causing Alaskans to "compete for declining resources".
"I came to give you some realistic solutions for dealing with these crises," he said, including:
  • Cost control.  Senator Dave Donley's bill to strengthen the constitutional spending limit "...is a good piece of legislation which you would adopt in your own business," he said.
  • Use of Permanent Fund earnings.  The $6 billion Earnings Reserve Account could be tapped for about $200 million per year without harming its principal.
  • Sales tax.  Whitaker's approach is a 6%, 5 month per year, seasonal sales tax, producing about $500 million annually.
  • Constitutional Budget Reserve.  The small deficit remaining could be drawn from the Constitutional Budget Reserve without depleting it within the next 2 1/2 years.
  • Economic growth.  Whitaker then offered his own economic development plan, consisting of:
    • 50% severance tax reduction for increased production by existing producers.
    • Severance tax and state income tax forgiveness on first 10 years of production by new producers.
  • Gas reserves tax.  If North Slope gas production hasn't occurred within 10 years of the law's passage, a producer could give the leases back to the State or pay taxes on the reserves. (See links)
Northern Gas Pipelines asked Whitaker if reserves tax provisions shouldn't be included in lease documents prior to the parties signing them rather than promulgated after the fact.  "In a perfect world, you would make it a part of the terms and conditions of the lease," he said.  He added that his intent was to give incentives for production, not to tax.  A producer representative questioned Whitaker on discriminating production tax benefits between existing producers and new producers.  Whitaker indicated a desire to hear all sides of the issue.

John Goll, U.S. Minerals Management Service Regional Director for Alaska, had words of encouragement for Alliance members.  “With the new Administration in Washington, D.C.,” he said, “the Department of the Interior has put more emphasis on energy development around the Nation.”  He said Alaska will play a key role, and the Department has proposed a very ambitious program for the state.  “You have heard about theincreased activity onshore in NPRA by our sister agency BLM, with their proposals for new sales.  The federal offshore managed by MMS will provide many other opportunities for exploration,” he said.  In October Secretary Norton released her proposed 5 Year Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing program.  Goss said she proposes 3 sales in the Beaufort Sea, 2 sales in Cook Inlet, 2 sales in the Chukchi Sea and Hope Basin, and a special, non-traditional approach for Norton Sound.  “We know the offshore is not the easiest or cheapest place to work”, Goll told Alliance members, “but the potential remains very high for oil and natural gas.  He said the sale plans could assist in bringing energy to onshore areas of Alaska, especially western Alaska, if onshore sources are not readily found.  Goll said MMS plans to keep the offshore option open, and try to make the processes easier and more predictable.  “For example,” he said, “we are proposing to do one EIS which we can use for all 3 Beaufort Sales, and one for the 2 Cook Inlet sales.”  Goll reminded his audience that the sale proposal came out in October, and the comment period closes on January 24.  On December 31, 2001, he said MMS began the process for two sales planned in Cook Inlet.  “We began the information gathering phase, and will be visiting with industry, communities, and others to sort through issues and areas of interest over the coming weeks,” he said.  “Anchorage, the Kenai, the Valley, Kodiak, and all of south-central Alaska face energy issues in the future.  We know companies are searching for gas onshore.  We also want to offer the federal areas of Cook Inlet as another opportunity in that search.  Initial comments are due by February 14, 2002,” he said.

Goll said that in the early 90’s, the Gulf of Mexico was referred to as “the Dead Sea”.  “People thought it was no longer an oil and gas province worthy of looking at,” he said, “but new ideas and strategies arose, leading to a rebirth there.  The same can happen here, if people want it so.  MMS’s goal will be to do our part in providing the opportunities, and ensuring that activity will be done safely for people and the environment.”

1-25:  "Alaska's Role in a National Energy Policy".  The Alliance's 2002 'Meet Alaska' Conference features another star cast, including: company executives, statewide elected officials and Canadian/U.S. Federal Cabinet officials (Call 907, 563-2226 for information).  This Sheraton Anchorage Hotel conference coming on 1-25, will feature:

  • Confirmed speakers: Mark L. Pease, Vice President International & Alaska Operations, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, D.R. Duncan, Vice President Government Relations, Phillips Petroleum Company, Jeff Wacker, Vice President & Chief Technical Officer, EDS, Steve Marshall, President, BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc.

  • Invited Speakers: Spencer Abraham, Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy, Ralph Goodale, Minister, Canadian Department of Natural Resources, Gwyn Morgan, President/CEO & Chairman of the Board, Alberta Energy Company Ltd., Honorable Tony Knowles, Governor of Alaska, Alaska's Congressional Delegation

  • Special Comments by: Senator Frank Murkowski, David Wight, President, Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, Kevin Meyers, President, Phillips Alaska, Inc.

1-2: 1-2-02: Alaska Representative Jim Whitaker, a gas reserves tax advocate, whose recent newspaper column we linked for your information, will address Alliance members at the Anchorage Petroleum Club on 1-10; subject: "State's Comprehensive Budget & Fiscal Policy". 

 

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