ADN by AP.  The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported Friday that Golden Valley Electric Association and Flint Hills Resources are partners in the $180 million project. The companies say a steady supply of natural gas will help wean their operations away from expensive diesel fuel.  See Doug Smith’s recent Op-ed… and,  our earlier commentary.

Energy Global Re: Pipeline Obstacles

by 

Elizabeth Morant

In last month’s Editor’s Comment I wrote about the permissions, approvals and, in particular, the public support, that a company or consortium needs to win in order to successfully build a pipeline. This month I want to look at the things that can go wrong; the things that can stop a pipeline in its tracks. By chance, recent weeks have thrown up some good examples of pipeline projects going awry.  In a move that shocked market-watchers, Royal Dutch Shell has decided to put its 11.4% stake in the Mackenzie pipeline project up for sale, following what it claims is a company decision to review its global portfolio and concentrate on other options. The Mackenzie Gas Project is a proposed 1196 km natural gas pipeline system along the Mackenzie Valley of Canada’s Northwest Territories to connect northern onshore gas fields with North American markets. Shell’s decision to pull out of all Mackenzie Delta activities, including the pipeline, is worrying news for investors, the local economy and those hoping to work on the project. It demonstrates how a project can be threatened by the decisions of one company.