Comment: Northern Economics and the University of Alaska's Institute of Social and Economic Research have quantified the economic effects of Alaska OCS exploration and development programs.  In effect, the economists demonstrated the dangerous economic impacts of government permitting delays.  At a time when the Nation needs economic recovery and Alaska desperately needs predictable Trans Alaska Pipeline throughput, federal government permitting delays are inexcusable.  -dh ADN by Richard Mauer.  Peter Slaiby (NGP Photo), Shell Alaska's vice president, said at a news conference in Anchorage that the decision to forgo exploratory drilling [...]

Today we issued an email alert and, while we used spell check on the body of the editorial, we stupidly left typographical errors in the email subject line; we misspelled the President's name and the word 'government'.  For that and all our other failings, we deeply apologize.  -dh  (See our email editorial comment below.) New York Times, by Phil Taylor.  Royal Dutch Shell PLC this morning announced it is postponing plans to drill for oil this summer in seas off Alaska, citing continued uncertainty over whether it would receive federal [...]

ADN Editorial.  Alaska's congressional delegation has urged expedited action by the Environmental Protection Agency to clear up Shell Alaska's air permits, so that the oil company can drill an exploratory well this summer just offshore in the Beaufort Sea.  ...   We can't wait for perfection. We'll never have it. The president's Gulf spill commission pointed out that savvier government regulation and an industry getting religion about safety were vital to produce offshore oil responsibly. Those elements remain works in progress.  Shell's Beaufort drilling in 2011 should give both company and [...]

Several faithful readers have noted a reduction in our content the last few days.  Regrettably, we were called to Colorado last week to participate in the aftermath of a  tragic death in the family.  In a few hours, we'll be boarding a plane in Denver, headed home for Anchorage.  Thank you for your patience.  -dh ADN Editorial.  (Governor Sean Paarnell's) plan would dial back the progressive surcharge on oil taxes once company profits top $30 a barrel. State analysts say this would cost the state about $5.2 billion in revenue [...]

Mark Your Schedules For BOEMRE's February Foray Into Alaska Tomorrow Night's Industrial Outlook Forum: 2011 and Beyond Features Energy Who's Who ADN by Lisa Demer.  As temperatures dropped at Prudhoe Bay and the shutdown of the 800-mile pipeline continued Tuesday, federal and state regulators agreed to allow Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. to temporarily restart the flow of oil even though some will ooze out of a leaking secondary pipe.  The flow of oil back into the pipeline was to resume Tuesday night, said Alyeska spokeswoman Michelle Egan.  That was expected [...]

Your author had the pleasure yesterday of engaging in a potpourri of energy issues with gurus, Mary Ann Pease (NGP Photo -MAP Consulting), Larry Persily (NGP Photo - Federal Coordinator, Alaska Gas Pipeline), Representative-elect Jason Cline, Jason Brune (Executive Director, Resource Development Council for Alaska), Rebecca Logan (General Manager, Alaska Support Industry Alliance).  Soon we will provide links to the rapid-fire give-and-take audio (hour 1, hour 2, hour 3 coming).  More photos here.   ADN.  The shutdown of the trans-Alaska pipeline is likely to extend into a fourth day, making it the [...]

      THE BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT, REGULATION AND ENFORCEMENT       For Immediate Release  Date: January 3, 2011  Contact: Nicholas Pardi, (202) 208-3985                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       BOEMRE Plans Meetings on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for    Proposed 2012-2017 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program   New Public Comment Period Extends to March 31, 2011     WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) today announced that it will hold a series of public scoping meetings in February 2011 on the Programmatic Environmental Impact [...]

Fairbanks News Miner Editorial: We hope for substantial progress toward construction of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope. Calgary Herald.  Pengrowth gas pipeline explosion in the area of Swan Hills, Alta., about 220 kilometres northwest of Edmonton. Alaska Engineer Blog.  The big story for 2011 will be the results of the 2010 open seasons. Each pipeline project (APP* and Denali) will complete and execute precedent agreements where shippers make long term commitments to ship gas. Prediction: With a little luck we’ll hear some positive news on these agreements before the Nenana ice goes [...]

Yesterday the radio studios of KFQD in Anchorage hosted a vibrant discussion of energy issues facing Alaska and the U.S.  Alaska Journal of Commerce Publisher Jeff Jones moderated the Dan Fagan Show conversation with invited guests, John Rense and Dave Harbour.  (NGP Photos: Jeff Jones, seated, and John Rense) The conversations may be here: 2nd hour with Rense beginning and Harbour joining at .35 min; 3rd hour, with all three gentlemen.    Audio:danfaganhour3 HARBOUR-JONES(1).wavdan fagan - HARBOUR-RENSE-JONES2 (7).wav