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Photos: Gov. Walker tours Prudhoe Bay

DEADHORSE -- Known for having an adversarial relationship with the oil industry as a private attorney, Bill Walker made his first trip as governor to the state's North Slope oil fields this week, taking a three-day tour of the widespread facilities and at times discussing prickly issues with oil officials.

Production taxes came up, as did the massive Alaska LNG project that Walker wants to accelerate, but those issues weren't the driving force of the trip, he said.

Instead, he wanted to spend time on drill rigs talking with workers and meeting with executives in "their setting" rather than in formal offices and familiarize himself with an industry that drives the Alaska economy.

"This is one of the most exciting things I've done as governor," said Walker at the end of his trip.

Read more: Gov. Walker strengthens ties with oil industry in Slope tour

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