1-20-15 Highlights

Today we focus on northern energy highlights so that readers can join us in appreciating the bigger picture and how each of our own special interests is framed within it. (Send us your comments and go here for yesterday's related commentary. -dh

Today, we would add these comments to the observations in yesterday's essay:

Thanks to Dr. Scott Goldsmith (NGP Photo) and the diligent professionals at the institute of Social and Economic Research, we present this simple economic model/game. Our readers can change the assumptions to derive their own results and predictions.
ADN, by Pat Forgey. Gov. Bill Walker (NGP Photo) says Alaska will tap its savings and cut budgets to get through low oil prices, but … he was unwilling to call the state’s multibillion-dollar deficits a “crisis.”
Note the results of a "budget crisis" study concerning states with, arguably, more options than Alaska has: "The State Budget Crisis Task Force outlined a troubling picture of the unsustainable and now perilous fiscal position of many states and their local governments across the country."

1. We did our best, yesterday, to portray the major components of what we believe to be the most serious leadership challenge in Alaska's history–and made some observations about Canada's energy challenges. We urge readers to scroll down and carefully review the object lessons that might be gleaned from yesterday's essay. (We who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it. -apologies to Edmund Burke, et. al.) -dh

2. Earlier this month, the Alaska Support Industry Alliance held its annual, Meet Alaska Conference. While the overall tenor of the conference was positive and optimistic, that determination was, in part, the result of "keeping a stiff upper lip", as we discussed in yesterday's essay. Below, we will be posting MEET ALASKA event photos.

* * *

Alaska Journal of Commerce writer Tim Bradner writes: There was an apprehensive mood among oil support contractors and service companies at the Alaska Support Industry Alliance’s annual “Meet Alaska” conference in Anchorage Jan. 9. Activity is still bustling on the North Slope despite the steady slide of crude oil prices — Alaska crude oil slid to $50 per barrel last week — but contractors worry that the layoff of rigs, crews and budget cuts being seen in the Lower 48 will spread to Alaska.

* * *

Petroleum News' Alan Bailey reported that, "Likening the challenges in Alaska over oil price volatility to the challenges of driving a snow machine across rough terrain, John Minge (NGP Photo), president of BP America, told the Alaska Support Industry Alliance’s Meet Alaska conference Jan. 9 that it is important to stay the course."

* * *

Go to the Alliance webpage here to view several of the MEET ALASKA PowerPoint presentations.

3. Thursday, if you are in Anchorage, plan to attend the Alaska Support Industry Alliance breakfast briefing by the Alaska Deputy Commissioner of Revenue Marcia Davis. That will coincide with the Governor's legislative budget speech to the Legislature. Important days upon us….

ALASKA SUPPORT INDUSTRY ALLIANCE, MEET ALASKA 2015, EVENT PHOTOS

Program Participants:

John Minge, Chairman and President-BP America at Alaska Support Industry Alliance MEET ALASKA 2015 with Alliance President Kevin Durling