Energy

The Interior Department released a final environmental review for the project Wednesday, and a decision is expected as early as March.

Biden administration officials released a key environmental assessment saying the Interior Department can grant partial approval to the ConocoPhillips project.

An official with the Interior Gas Utility said that the uncertain outlook for gas from Cook Inlet prompted it to find a new solution.

New oil projects being developed or evaluated could reverse the aging basin’s long-term decline, officials tell lawmakers.

New projects and enhanced recovery are helping increase flow down the trans-Alaska pipeline, but the long-term downward trend in Alaska oil production remains.

Some of the protesters had flown in from the North Slope village of Nuiqsut, located near the proposed Willow project. Nuiqsut’s mayor said she also met with U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, who supports the project.

Brett Huber will fill the seat vacated by Jeremy Price in the fall. The job pays $150,000 annually.

Oil Search, a subsidiary of Australia-based Santos, needs the road to access its giant Pikka field. ConocoPhillips wants Oil Search to pay $95 million to use the road. Oil Search has offered a smaller amount.

Hilcorp Alaska, the dominant oil and gas operator in the Cook Inlet basin, submitted the sole bid in the lease sale held by the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.

The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority has earmarked $6.2 million for lawsuits and other work in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Alaska’s congressional delegation said senior officials committed to a decision by March. But much of the North Slope’s short construction season will be lost by then, potentially delaying work until next year.

Environmental groups are suing the Biden administration over next week’s planned lease sale, saying the sale, mandated by Congress, is based on a faulty environmental review.

John Boyle, who most recently worked for Australian oil company Santos, will assume the role of commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources next month, replacing Akis Gialopsos.

All oil development work in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is effectively stalled until the new review process concludes.

The sale was required in this year’s Inflation Reduction Act. An industry group said it could lead to oil and natural gas the world still needs. A conservation group said it will threaten wildlife and the climate.

Families could, for example, buy a panel in a solar farm, helping lower their future electric costs as their investment is paid off.

Anchorage’s major home heating and electric utilities have hired consultants to examine imports of liquefied natural gas

The third-quarter announcement comes amid criticism, including from President Joe Biden, that companies are making outsized profits while gasoline prices are high.

The summit was convened by Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. ambassador to Japan. Officials from Alaska met with Japanese energy and policy representatives. Analysts said the Alaska LNG project faces stiff competition.

Analysis: Congress’ action, spurred by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, prompted conservation groups to launch a successful campaign to block big banks and insurers from backing drilling not just in the refuge, but anywhere in the Arctic.

The Alaska Native corporation says it could add perhaps a dozen more turbines, and provide power at a much lower cost than the first phase in 2012, thanks to technological improvements and pre-existing infrastructure.

A renewable energy expert in Alaska said the proposals, if they can be fully built, could fulfill over 20% of the current power demand from Homer to Fairbanks.

Bill Armstrong said in an interview there is no guarantee that the prospect, located southwest of Pikka and Willow oil fields, also holds a colossal cache of oil. “It’s not a sure thing,” he said.