Oil

DAVID REAUME

Pipeline's worth varies with who's counting

The ongoing valuation dispute between the owners of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS), on the one hand, and state and local governments, on the other, is a classic case of trying to make real-world sense out of vague legislative directives.

Facing environmental lawsuits, Shell debates Arctic drilling

Shell, the giant oil company that hopes to open a new petroleum frontier for Alaska, says it will decide within months whether to risk sending a large fleet of vessels to drill for oil and gas in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas next summer.

Chevron to lay off an estimated 25 workers in Cook Inlet region

Chevron announced Wednesday it plans to cut an estimated 25 jobs in the Cook Inlet region because of decreased activity at the oil fields and tough economic times.

State still optimistic natural gas pipeline will be built

State officials say in a report released today that they continue to be optimistic about the chances for a large-diameter natural gas pipeline from the North Slope to Lower 48 markets.

Backers of competing gas line projects prepare pitches

Energy industry giants are winding up their pitches for a North Slope gas pipeline next year, but the state and its critics remain at war over whether any of the hundreds of millions being spent now will result in a successful project.

State investigates Slope accident that crushed worker

The state Department of Labor is investigating a North Slope work accident that left a man in critical care with a crushed chest.

Number of active gas, oil rigs in US up by 21

The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. this week rose by 21 this week to 1,069.

Kenai gas field shows age but keeps producing

The Kenai gas field started out as an oddball no one quite knew what to do with, but became an essential component of daily life and industry in Southcentral Alaska.

Shell's Chukchi drill plan ruled 'complete' by MMS

The federal Minerals Management Service this week deemed Shell Oil's application to drill exploration wells in the Chukchi Sea next year to be complete.

Risk assessment of Alaska oil infrastructure called flawed

A panel of national scientific experts is raising serious concerns about the state-led, $5 million project to evaluate risks posed by Alaska's aging oil and gas infrastructure.

PDF: National Academy study

State risk assessment

Shell gets conditional OK for Beaufort Sea drilling plan

The Obama administration has given conditional approval to Shell Oil's plan to explore two of its leases in the Beaufort Sea next summer and fall.

ATCO opens Alaska office

ATCO Structures & Logistics Ltd. has opened a branch office in Anchorage.

Oil production on Slope tallies a sharp 18 percent increase

North Slope production averaged 676,664 barrels of oil per day last month, up 18 percent from August, the state Revenue Department reported.

Millions of dollars at stake in pipeline fight

The state, major oil companies and a trio of local governments are locked in an epic battle over how much the trans-Alaska oil pipeline is worth for property tax purposes.

Oil giant Conoco Phillips to slash spending

Conoco Phillips announced this week it will slash capital spending 12 percent in 2010 and sell $10 billion in assets over the next two years.

Thursday's oil, gas, gold, zinc prices

Thursday's oil, gas, gold and zinc prices

Lawmakers order audit of state natural gas corporation

A legislative committee has ordered an audit of the state-funded Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority, charged with getting North Slope natural gas to market and to Alaska communities.

Oil rebounds as US dollar weakens

Oil prices bounced back above $71 on Tuesday as the dollar fell to its lowest level against the euro in more than a year.

BP pays $1.7 million for rules violations at North Slope fields

BP Exploration Inc. has paid $1.7 million to the state for inadequate oil spill protection measures at Prudhoe Bay and other North Slope oil fields, state officials announced Tuesday.

Opponents ask Salazar to halt offshore drilling

Opponents of offshore drilling -- including some dressed as salmon and a polar bear -- delivered more than 250,000 postcards and letters to the Interior Department on Monday on a proposal to open vast waters off the Pacific and Atlantic coasts to oil and gas drilling.

NPR-A leaseholder lays the groundwork for development

The Umiat oil field on the eastern side of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska has remained a tantalizing puzzle since the Navy discovered it in 1946 and later abandoned it because piping oil to Fairbanks would be too expensive.