ADN Op-Ed by Chris Stephens (NGP Photo).  OurChris Stephens,  commercial real estate market is plagued by uncertainty for the second year. The causes of that uncertainty include the national recession, questions over the prospects for construction of a gas pipeline from the North Slope to the Lower 48, delays in Shell Oil’s efforts to explore the Chukchi Sea, and pessimism about future oil company investment in the face of North Slope production declines.  The Legislature’s inconclusive debate this past session about reducing oil taxes to stimulate production created additional uncertainty.  Recent news that the Denali Pipeline group has dropped its proposal for a gas pipeline has added to the overall anxiety.

We have alerted readers for years of the coming crisis for Alaska and for America — even for Canada.  That crisis approaches closer as the life of the Trans Alaska Pipeline (TAPS), our economic lifeline, finds its days numbered and becoming fewer.  Without TAPS, the liklihood of more oil or a gas pipeline diminish.  TAPS throughput is declining and its facilities are aging in a way that could necessitate emergency shutdowns that could become permanent.  The salvation for TAPS and the economy is access to billions of barrels of OCS prospective reserves, or those on state land, or federal on-shore land.  That is why this Wednesday’s meeting is critically important to all Alaskans for access to OCS.  Come EAT, DRINK and TESTIFY at the Chukchi hearing on Wednesday, June 29th at 5:30 p.m. at the Loussac Library. Fill out a comment card and enjoy a hot dog and drink before the hearing. The hearing itself will begin at 7 p.m.  If you can’t attend the Anchorage event Wednesday, you can EASILY file an electronic comment here!

Notes From the Road, Day Six In North Dakota

by

Dave Harbour

 

More notes and photos are coming ….  Check back for insights from the Williston Herald’s Managing Editor, Jacob Brooks (NGP Photo-L, and reporter Nick Smith {NGP Photo-R}, along with a visit to ND Petroleum Council’s Ron Ness {Below-center} and a unique visit with a gas pipeline construction spread headed by SK&S’s Cory Everson {NGP Photo-Lower Right) with Spread Boss Alton Smith {NGP Photo-Lower Left).

(For Past Notes, Scroll Down, or Reference:  See Day 1 Notes. Here are day 2 notes.  Here are day 4 notes.  Here are day 5 notes.)