2:24 PM, ADT: You Read It Here First.  From Julie Hasquet BP, UAS, Prudhoe Bay, FAA, Julie Hasquet, BP Photoat BP comes this breaking news:  

"BP and AeroVironment are deploying an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS, BP Photo) technology at Prudhoe Bay, marking the first time (i.e. our emphasis added) the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted permission for UAS routine commercial services over land in the United States.

"The UAS technology has potential to improve safety, efficiency and the reliability of BP’s Alaska North Slope infrastructure and maintenance programs.

"BP’s vendor, AeroVironment, is performing high-accuracy land surveying and LIDAR mapping in Greater Prudhoe Bay. The UAS flight operation will survey and map Alaska North Slope gravel roads and pads using LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) 3D technology. This marks the first time UAS technology has been used over land in compliance with FAA regulations."

Check out this technology on the BP You Tube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05t-dg6nFpE&feature=youtu.be   FAA press release: http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=16354

 

Sean Parnell, SB 21, Alaska Oil Production Tax Reform, Photo by Dave Harbour, Keep Alaska Competitive, Vote No on 1Comment:  Our readers know that over a year ago the AlaskaLegislature passed and Governor  Sean Parnell (NGP Photo) signed into law, SB 21, which reformed one of the most predatory, onerous oil production tax laws in the free world.  

From Keep Alaska Competitive:

Six Alaska Native regional corporations formed their own ballot measure group called No One On One. “It is our concern for the future of the state and economy that we stand before you today and ask you to vote no on 1,” said Rex Rock (NGP Photo), president and CEO of Arctic Slope Regional Corp.

“Our board unanimously voted to join the coalition because of how important the oil industry is to our state,” said Laura Edmondson, chief financial officer for Bering Strait.

Jason Metrokin, president of Bristol Bay Native Corp., said his company’s oil subsidiaries helped the Alaska Native regional corporation reach its goal of doubling shareholder hire and wages.

Sophie Minich, CIRI, SB 21, oil tax, Photo by Dave HarbourWe’ve witnessed the industry’s commitment to new investment and have seen for ourselves the rebound in jobs and activity in the oil and gas industry and we want to see that trend continue,” said Sophie Minich, president of Cook Inlet Region Inc.

Aaron Schutt, Doyon, SB 21, Photo by Dave HarbourDoyon, Ltd., owns seven rigs on the North Slope. “We saw two of our rigs go down right away” when ACES passed, said Aaron Schutt, Doyon president. “Each rig has about 80 employees, and 95 percent of our employees are Alaskans, and about half are Doyon shareholders.”

Helvi Sandvik, NANA, SB 21, oil tax reform, Photo by Dave HarbourNANA has worked on the North Slope for 35 years and has 4,000 employees supporting the oil industry, including 1,000 shareholders, said Helvi Sandvik, president of NANA Development Corp. 

While the state still reaps huge rewards from the oil production tax, the oil income tax, oil and gas royalties, and oil industry property taxes, SB 21 improved the climate of investment.  More projects are now being undertaken or planned than before passage of the Act.  

In August, a citizens referendum supported by legislators voting against SB 21, environmental activists and a few other special interests, will determine whether the SB 21 reforms will live on or be repealed.  

Thoughtful Alaskans, like our readers, are mostly concluding that the initiative should be voted down.  Others, who believe the former tax structure has no effect on investment, will be voting for the Proposition 1 repeal.

Groups all over Alaska are lining up, for or against repeal.  In the sidebar, is a report from the "Keep Alaska Competitive" group, reflecting the position of some of Alaska's major Native corporations.  -dh

Houston Chronicle.  “It’s the new way to come to the United States illegally,” said Congressman Ted Poe. “This administration will not enforce the rule of law on the border.”  (Note: We provide this link to demonstrate that the Administration is not only crippling the rule of law with respect to overreaching energy policies, but also in the area of national security.   -dh)

The Hill.  Speaker John Boehner on Tuesday harshly criticized the swap of five Taliban detainees for one U.S. soldier, saying the U.S. would “pay” for President Obama’s decision to negotiate with terrorists.  

(Note: We provide this link because the US has now signaled to terrorists that we will 'negotiate for hostages'…and this affects our readers directly.

This ends another important American tradition of not encouraging the proliferation of kidnappings.  

Accordingly, since natural resource companies have the reputation for 'deep pockets' we know our American and Canadian readers will be especially vigilant in the future about their own safety as a result of America's having traded an alleged deserter for five of the most deadly, Taliban terrorists.  

Though largely unreported, this Obama Administration act has a disproportionatly larger impact on oil, gas, mining, support companies and other multi-national corporations than on tourists in general or even on government employees.   -dh)