ADN by Lisa Demer.  The shutdown of the 800-mile trans-Alaska oil pipeline continued for a second day Sunday as engineers and regulators worked on how to safely get oil flowing again in the dead of winter.

ADN, from PNA by Eric Lidji (NGP Photo-r).  Exxon Mobil has asked state regulators to increase the rate it charges to ship oil on the trans-Alaska oil pipeline to in-state destinations by about 22 percent. 

Alaska Dispatch by Frank Murkowski (NGP Photo-l).  I recently wrote an article describing why ACES, Alaska’s oil tax system, needs to be adjusted sufficiently to cause the Producers to again invest in Alaska’s North Slope fields and to promote an aggressive exploration program. Oil taxes now supply 90 percent of our state revenue — the highest ever. The rate of decline in oil flow through the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) is increasing. Producer investment in Alaska is decreasing — and no wonder.

Senate Energy Committee by Robert Dillon.  WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (NGP Photo), released the following statement on the Trans Alaska Pipeline System’s temporary shutdown on Saturday after an oil leak was discovered in a transit line at Pump Station 1.

 
Sen. Murkowski spoke with Admiral Tom Barrett, CEO of Alyeska Pipeline Co., yesterday soon after the spill was discovered.
 

“While I am relieved, for the moment, that the leak appears to be contained and has not resulted in a release into the environment, I remain concerned about the potential impact both on oil prices and Alaska’s economy of even a short-term shutdown of the pipeline,” Murkowski said.
 
“The integrity of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline is paramount to our nation’s energy security and a spill of any size is a major issue that must be fully corrected to maintain the confidence of the American people," Murkowski said
 
Sen. Murkowski, the ranking member on the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, last year requested a full review of the pipeline. That review, which is ongoing, is expected to be completed this spring.
 
"Last year I asked Alyeska to begin a thorough safety review of TAPS, and this is precisely the sort of event that such a review will help guard against," Murkowski said. "I remain confident in the ability of Alaskans to continue to provide the nation with safe and reliable supplies of domestic energy."