Oil

Today's oil, gas, gold and zinc prices

Exxon agrees to pay interest on oil spill penalty

Exxon Mobil Corp. said Monday it won't appeal nearly $500 million in interest that a court recently ordered it to pay to Alaska fishermen, business owners and others harmed by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.

Pipeline owners contest tariff decision

Several owners of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline are asking a federal appeals court to review a federal order to charge lower rates for pumping oil through the 800-mile line.

TransCanada executive to speak

Anthony Palmer, vice president of Alaska operations for TransCanada Corp., will make an appearance Monday at the Westmark Hotel to talk about recent developments in plans to construct a pipeline to transport natural gas from Alaska's North Slope to the Lower 48.

Today's oil, gas, gold and zinc prices

Legislators question oil executives about gas line prospects

An executive leading TransCanada Corp.'s push for a North Slope gas pipeline on Tuesday spelled out for legislators what would happen if Alaska oil producers refuse to commit their gas to the project next year.

Exxon, state continue to battle over Point Thomson

Recent positive developments mask a continuing legal struggle between Exxon and the state over ultimate control of the enormous Point Thomson oil and gas field near Prudhoe Bay.

DAVID REAUME

'Open season' is wishful thinking

I am sorry folks but sometimes brave talk is just so much wishful thinking, no matter how much you pray it were otherwise. Talk of an "open season" in 2010, when potential pipeline owners and North Slope gas producers may attempt to come to terms, is just that -- wishful thinking.

Oil pipeline to be shut down over weekend

The 800-mile trans-Alaska pipeline is being shut down for up to 36 hours this weekend for maintenance, said Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., the Anchorage-based oil company consortium that runs the pipeline and Valdez tanker port.

Report: US natural gas reserves surge 35 percent

The country's natural gas reserves are much bigger than previously thought, according to a report released Thursday.

Borough hesitates backing Bristol Bay petroleum leases

The U.S. Minerals Management Service for years has counted on a remote local government, the Aleutians East Borough, as a key supporter of the offshore oil and gas lease sale proposed for the North Aleutian basin in 2011.

State Senate plans hearing on TransCanada-Exxon partnership

The Alaska Senate Resources and Energy committees will meet June 23 in Anchorage to review the agreement announced last week between Exxon and TransCanada Corp. involving construction of a natural gas pipeline.

High court strikes down Valdez tax on oil tankers

The city of Valdez will have to return millions it has collected in taxes since it began assessing a tax on oil tankers that on Monday was found to be unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.

PDF: The Valdez tax decision

Sunken boat fuel recovery stalls

Fuel recovery operations from a sunken boat in Alaska's Cook Inlet are on hold. State environmental officials on Monday said recovery attempts will cease until safety and engineering concerns can be addressed

Court rules Exxon owes a billion in damages, interest

Exxon Mobil Corp. was ordered Monday to pay roughly $1 billion to Alaska Natives, fishermen, business owners and others harmed by the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill in Prince William Sound.

PDF: Court decision

Tides complicate fuel removal from submerged vessel

Divers on Sunday began removing fuel from an oil field supply boat that sank in Cook Inlet five months ago, but the work was soon halted when the Inlet's extreme tides started rocking a vessel being used as a staging platform.

Thursday's oil, gas, gold and zinc prices

North Slope oil: $72.33, up $1.35 U.S. natural gas (Henry Hub): $3.51 per million BTU, down $0.05

Exxon joins TransCanada in push to build gas pipeline

Exxon Mobil Corp., the largest natural gas holder on the North Slope, said Thursday it will work on the long-awaited natural gas pipeline project with TransCanada Corp. The alliance was hailed by Gov. Palin, but a decision on actual construction of the line could be years away.

Gas pipeline hearing postponed

Former Gov. Wally Hickel criticizes Palin's pipeline approach, Exxon deal

Alaska oil prices rise but still are just more than half last year's

The recent surge in oil prices continued Wednesday, with the Alaska price crossing back above $70 a barrel for the first time since last October.

National Geographic Channel looks at fixing Alaska pipeline

A documentary on the challenges involved in maintaining and repairing the trans-Alaska pipeline is scheduled to air tonight at 8 p.m. on the National Geographic Channel's "World's Toughest Fixes."

ALASKA POLITICS BLOG

Is a TransCanada-Exxon pipeline deal in the works?

An announcement is coming this week regarding the proposed natural gas pipeline to the Lower 48, according to sources familiar. There's been buzz about it the past several days, although no one is willing to confirm it with their name attached.