Anchorage Daily News

JUNEAU -- BP and Conoco Phillips said Thursday they have picked an oil and gas industry veteran to head up their proposed natural gas pipeline project.

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Fackrell

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Bud E. Fackrell is stepping in as the first president of the joint venture officially titled Denali -- The Alaska Gas Pipeline LLC.

Fackrell previously served as a senior vice president of BP's North Slope operations other than the Prudhoe Bay oil field.

In April, the two oil giants announced a project to compete with one proposed by TransCanada Corp. that is currently being reviewed by the Alaska Legislature in a special session.

$600 MILLION COMMITMENT

Some lawmakers were skeptical of the timing since TransCanada had emerged as the favorite under Gov. Sarah Palin's Alaska Gasline Inducement Act. Some questioned whether the Denali project was legitimate or a bluff to steer lawmakers away from TransCanada.

Fackrell said his appointment -- as well as 50 field workers collecting data in Tok -- should illustrate the companies' commitment to build a gas line.

"This is a real project for us," Fackrell said. "We are moving forward. We have made a $600 million commitment. The Alaska market is an important piece for us."

Fackrell said Denali will continue to build its executive team while field work continues.

He said the goal is to have a work force of about 150 employees assembled by year's end. They will consist of workers from BP, Conoco Phillips and outside contractors, he said.

Lawmakers are in Fairbanks holding hearings on Palin's TransCanada recommendation. It's the first of six stops outside of Juneau during this special session.

In nearly two weeks of hearings, there have been only a few references to the Denali project.

Denali and TransCanada have both proposed construction of a pipeline from Alaska's energy rich North Slope to Alberta.

Fackrell joined BP's Alaska operations in 2006. Prior to that, he was CEO and general manager of Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Co.

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