Personal Comment: Once againKentucky Derby Hat and Love Scene, Churchill Downs, Derby Hats, Photo by Dave Harbour we draw attention of our readers to the Kentucky Derby occurring this year on May 5 at Churchill Downs.  We have covered the Derby in previous years and following this year’s event will be releasing thousands of race, fashion and behind the scenes photos (Dave Harbour World Photography Samples) for editorial and art use and for creation of a wonderful, new coffee table book.  Astute readers know that this magnificent event is unrelated to Northern Gas Pipelines–though we value it for being one of the Nation’s enduring cultural and iconic celebrations culminating in the "Greatest Two Minutes in Sports".  We’ll bring you more in May!  -dh

Andrew Halcro, Alaska LNG Project, Photo by Dave HarbourAlaska Dispatch by Andrew Halcro (NGP Photo-L).  Last Friday Governor Sean Parnell announced the three major oil producers on Alaska’s North Slope will come together to study an LNG line for export to Asian markets. Does that mean our ship is about to come in?

ADN by Tim Bradner (NGP Photo). Tim Bradner, Alaska oil and gas, Photo by Dave Harbour Gov. Sean Parnell deserves a pat on the back for bringing to closure the contentious Point Thomson gas field lawsuits. Those were big clouds hanging over a major North Slope gas project. Point Thomson has almost one-fourth of the gas reserves on the Slope, and resolving uncertainties over its ownership is necessary for an eventual gas project.

Petroleum News Alaska by Kay Cashman.    Brooks Range Petroleum Corp. has proved up a 40 million barrel discovery on Alaska’s North Slope; that’s 40 million barrels of recoverable oil, which can be expected to produce for 15 years, yielding 13,500 barrels of oil per day at its peak.