Fairbanks News Miner by Max Buxton.  As the clock ticks down to the end of the legislative session, lawmakers are quickly giving shape to a proposed natural gas pipeline from Cook Inlet to Fairbanks. Houma Today by Nate Monroe.  In a matter of weeks, the largest and most advanced ship EdisonChouest Offshore has ever constructed will depart for the frigid Alaskan coast where it will service the oil-and-gas giant Shell Oil.  The ship, 360 feet long, took 2 million man hours and two years of construction to complete. Shell awarded [...]

Anchorage Daily Planet by Tom Brennan (NGP Photo).  I know it’s too early to consider the fight lost, but it’s difficult to be optimistic about chances the Legislature will make an intelligent business decision on oil taxes this year - if ever. ADN by Lisa Demer.  House Speaker Mike Chenault's bill to create a natural gas pipeline from Alaska's North Slope to Southcentral is moving through the Legislature even as oil producers talk about moving ahead on a $40 billion project that would make the small line all but irrelevant. [...]

Three Stories in Today's News: Alaska, Canada and North Dakota.  Here's a question for our NGP readers: Which elected and appointed leaders of which jurisdictions seem to be caring most for the sustainability of their economies and the future of their children?   Which seems to be succumbing more to the greedy demands of current constituencies?    -dh NYT by Ann Carrns.  Here is one of the best stories we've seen on the personal side of work within the Williston, N.D. oil shale phenomenon.  See the report of our own [...]

Calgary Herald by Dan Healing.  With output of 1,200 barrels of oil equivalent per day and 5,500 boe/d behind pipe, Athabasca Oil Sands Corp. is considering joint venture deals on its light oil and gas assets as well as its oilsands, says its CEO.  On a conference call to discuss year-end results Thurs-day, president and chief executive Sveinung Svarte said the company is committed to using partnerships to develop its assets wherever they are. Check out the Gas Pipeline Federal Coordinator's history of gas pipeline projects Wall Street Journal.  April [...]

Scroll Down For Coverage of YESTERDAY'S Gulf States Energy Summit! ADN.  House Majority Leader Alan Austerman says there will be pressure to act on oil taxes this session. ADN by Austin Baird.   Lance Pruitt (NGP Photo) is the author of HB358 which would support national, pro-ANWR advertising. ADN by Becky Bohrer.  An attorney for the Alaska Legislature said Monday that it's entirely possible that bills passed in the House and Senate last year would be considered substantially similar to a ballot initiative that would re-establish a coastal management program in the [...]

See How Canadian Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver Supports Greater Investment See Senator Cathy Giessel's Investment Climate Commentary See Steve Forbes' Alaska Investment Climate Commentary See CEA Energy News Links - Congressman Doc Hastings Says Obama Rhetoric Wrong Alaska Airlines Is Ejecting Passenger Prayer Cards! Alaska Dispatch Commentary Invest in Alaska? Commentary by Alex Gimarc     Some Alaska Legislators are working furiously to counterbalance Governor Sean Parnell’s call for a cut in taxes on oil production from the North Slope.    Earlier this week, Senator Hollis French (NGP Photo) gave a floor speech expressing [...]

  Politico.  North Dakota Public Service Commissioner Tony Clark (NGP Photo-r) is being nominated for an opening on FERC.  Sen. John Hoeven tells The Associated Press that President Barack Obama will nominate Clark later Monday.  Clark would have to be confirmed by the Senate to take the job. FERC has five members; the commission now has one opening that's reserved for a Republican.  The agency regulates interstate oil and gas pipelines, electric transmission lines and sales of natural gas and wholesale electric power.  Clark's term on the North Dakota commission ends [...]