BULLETINS 02/17/13
Russian oil company Rosneft signs joint venture at Point Thomson
Rosneft, the major Russian oil company, has signed a joint-venture agreement with ExxonMobil that gives Rosneft an option to acquire 25 percent of the large Point Thomson gas field on the North Slope and ExxonMobil rights to a share of a large liquefied natural gas export project Rosneft hopes to develop at Vladivostok.
The deal was announced in Moscow Feb. 13. Point Thomson has about 8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and about 200 million barrels of liquid condensates.
State Natural Resources Commissioner Dan Sullivan said the state would have to approve any changes in ownership of state leases.
“We’re evaluating this. Of course, it is still an option, so we don’t have it in front of us right now,” Sullivan said. “Any working interest owner at Point Thompson, however, will have to abide by terms of the Point Thomson litigation settlement, which includes provisions to undertake work related to the commercialization of North Slope gas.”
ExxonMobil owns 62 percent of Point Thomson; 32 percent is held by BP and 5 percent is held by ConocoPhillips. There are also minority owners for the remaining 1 percent.
Under the agreement, Rosneft has until September 2014 to exercise the option on Point Thompson. Besides the possible LNG project in the Russian Far East, the agreement includes joint work on other Arctic properties that Rosneft has acquired.
ExxonMobil, BP and ConocoPhillips are now constructing an initial development project at Point Thomson that will produce and re-inject gas, and also produce 10,000 barrels per day of liquid condensates that can be shipped to market through the Trans Alaska Pipeline System.
The announcement comes three days before state officials are expecting an update on the large North Slope gas pipeline and liquefied natural gas export project that ExxonMobil, BP and ConocoPhillips are working on.
In his State of the State speech in January, Gov. Sean Parnell had asked the companies to decide on a “concept” for the project by Feb. 15, which would include possible gas volumes and, most important, a preferred southern terminus of the pipeline and site for a large LNG plant.
That would be either Valdez on Prince William Sound or Nikiski, on Cook Inlet.
State legislators in Juneau expressed no concerns over possible Rosneft ownership of a large part of Point Thomson.
“It’s a curious development. It’s got people scratching their heads, but 25 percent doesn’t mean they’re going to be in the driver’s seat,” said Sen. Hollis French, D-Anchorage,
Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, said, “I think Vladimir Putin is looking for a place that is stable and offers much higher rates of return than he offers.”
— Tim Bradner
Bradner covers oil and gas for the Journal. Contact him with tips and story ideas at tim.bradner@alaskajournal.com.
Alaska visitor numbers increase
For the first time in four years Alaska has seen an increase in Outside visitors. From May 2011 through April 2012, an estimated 1.82 million visitors traveled to the state, a 3 percent increase over the previous 12-month period, according to a report released by the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development.
“The turning point in visitation is significant, given several consecutive years of decline. The (report) data provides an important foundation for stat marketing and planning efforts,” Commerce Department Commissioner Susan Bell said in a press release.
The Alaska Visitor Statistics Program fall/winter report for the period from October 2011 through April 2012 found that approximately 266,000 visitors spent about $1.76 billion, not including transportation costs to and from the state.
An AVSP summary for summer 2011 reports that an estimated 1.56 million visitors spent roughly $1.51 billion in Alaska, excluding travel and cruise expenses.
All AVSP reports are available on the Commerce Department’s website.
— Elwood Brehmer
Brehmer covers tourism for the Journal. Contact him with tips and story ideas at elwood.brehmer@alaskajournal.com.
Redistricting board waiting on word from court
JUNEAU (AP) — The Alaska Redistricting Board is waiting for direction from the state’s highest court.
A divided Alaska Supreme Court in December ordered the redistricting plan used for this year’s elections be redrawn after finding the board did not follow the process it was instructed to follow. The board has asked the court to reconsider that.
Board Chairman John Torgerson says the board on Tuesday discussed possible options for how to proceed, including potentially beginning work on a new map in April. But he says nothing on that count was decided.
There also was discussion about whether to appeal the court’s decision to the U.S. Supreme Court but he says nothing was decided on that, either.
He says the board did agree to start the process of finding a new executive director.
—Associated Press
Airlines expand West Coast service
Virgin America announced upcoming nonstop summer service between Anchorage and San Francisco on Feb. 12. On the same day, Alaska Airlines announced nonstop summer service from Fairbanks to Portland, Ore.
“Anchorage presents unique opportunities for us to expand our network into an area that demands and deserves increased flight options. Anchorage will allow us to offer seasonal service to on of the most popular outdoor destinations from our home in San Francisco,” Virgin America President and CEO David Cush said in a company release.
The new flights for both airlines will begin in early June and continue until early September. Virgin America will offer one flight each way six days a week; Alaska Airlines will have one flight to and from Portland daily.
“Portland is a growing hub for Alaska Airlines and this nonstop flight will provide Fairbanks residents with not only a great West Coast destination to visit, but also another option to connect to Alaska Airlines’ expanding list of cities served from Portland International Airport,” Marilyn Romano, Alaska’s regional vice president said in a release.
Virgin America passengers flying from Anchorage to San Francisco will be able to connect to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Diego, Chicago and Philadelphia on the airline’s other flights.
Delta also recently announced it was adding direct flights between Anchorage and Atlanta starting in June.
— Elwood Brehmer
Brehmer covers transportation for the Journal. Contact him with tips and story ideas at elwood.brehmer@alaskajournal.com.
Delegation opposes pirates, modified salmon
Alaska’s congressional delegation has introduced a variety of fish-related bills.
Sen. Mark Begich and Sen. Lisa Murkowski introduced two bills relating to genetically modified fish. One would prevent the producing, selling or shipping genetically-enhanced salmon until the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration, or NOAA, approves it as having no harmful impacts on the environment. The other bill would require labeling modified salmon.
On Feb. 13, the FDA announced it was extending the comment period for its “no impact” decision by 60 days, making the new comment deadline April 26.
“American consumers have a right to know what they are eating, especially if it was grown in a test tube,” Begich said in a statement.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski supported both of those.
“We have scientists splicing fish DNA with an antifreeze-like chemical compound and considering feeding that to Americans,” Murkowski said in a statement. “That kind of idea didn’t work out so well in ‘Jurassic Park’ and I don’t think we should be going down that dangerous road with a perfect natural brain food like salmon.”
She also supported two bills regarding pirate fishing, introduced by Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-West Virginia.
The Pirate Fishing Elimination Act would bar vessels that engage in pirate fishing from entering U.S. ports, and enact stiff penalties for companies and groups in America that support illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. The International Fisheries Stewardship and Enforcement Act would work on the international side of preventing pirating.
Rep. Don Young also introduced a bill in the House of Representatives that would require labeling modified salmon.
“I have once again introduced legislation that will force the FDA to let Americans know exactly what type of salmon they are eating,” Young wrote in a statement. “This commonsense bill will require clear labeling of food containing genetically engineered fish.”
— Molly Dischner
Dischner covers fisheries for the Journal. Contact her with tips and story ideas at molly.dischner@alaskajournal.com.
IPHC seeks Management Strategies board nominations
The International Pacific Halibut Commission has opened nominations for its new Management Strategies Advisory Board, or MSAB.
The board is expected to be comprised of a variety of individuals, including those involved in fisheries management, science, and industry, as well as commission staff.
The board will help develop a management strategy evaluation framework for the IPHC, and then carry out that evaluation. The first meeting is expected to be held in May, and will look at developing halibut management objectives.
According to the call for nominations, the board will likely meet twice per year, with at least one meeting in-person, though others may be held electronically. Members are expected to serve at least two years.
Nominations are due Feb. 28, and the IPHC is expecting to make a selection by the end of March.
— Molly Dischner
Dischner covers fisheries for the Journal. Contact her with tips and story ideas at molly.dischner@alaskajournal.com.
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