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Northern Gas Pipelines, (Alaska Gas Pipeline, Denali - The Alaska Gas Pipeline, Mackenzie Valley Gas Pipeline, Alaska Highway Gas Pipeline, Northern Route Gas Pipeline, Arctic Gas, LNG, GTL) is your public service, objective, unbiased 1-stop-shop for Arctic gas pipeline projects and people, informal and rich with new information, updated 30 times weekly and best Northern Oil & Gas Industry Links on the Internet. Find AAGPC, AAGSC, ANGTL, ANNGTC, ANS, APG, APWG, ANGTA, ANGTS, AGPPT, ANWR, ARC, CARC, CAGPL, CAGSL, FPC, FERC, GTL, IAEE, LNG, NEB, NPA, TAGS, TAPS, and more... 2008 LINKS:
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WASHINGTON: Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act; History of H.R. 4; DOE Energy Bill Position, 6-02; Daschle-Bingaman Energy Bill (Alaska, Sec. 1236 & tax credit, Sec. 2503 & H.R. 4 Conferees), Tax Credit; See amendments, "Energy Policy Act of 2002"; "Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act of 2001 (Draft)" & Background Paper, 8-9-01;Alaska Legislature Joint Committee position; Governor's position; Governor's 10-Point Plan; Anadarko Analysis; U.S. Senate Energy Committee Testimony, 10-2-01 - text version; U.S. Senate Energy Committee Testimony, 9-14-00; Report on the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Act of 1971, prepared by staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 1-18-01 ALASKA: 1-23-03, Governor Frank Murkowski's State of the State Speech; 2002 DRAFT Recommendations to 2003 Legislature; '02 Alaska Legislation; Alaska Highway Natural Gas Pipeline Policy Council; Joint Legislative Gas Pipeline Committee; 9-01 Alaska Models: Canadian Routes, LNG, GTL; HR 4 Story; Cook Inlet Supply-Demand Report: AEDC; Commonwealth North Investigation & Our Article; Report: Backbone; Legislature Contacts; State Gas Pipeline Financing Study; 5-02 Alaska Producer Update; Kenai: "Oil & Gas Industry Issues and Activities Report, 11-02"; Alaska Oil & Gas Tax Structure; 2-27-02 Royalty Sale Background; Alaska Gas Pipeline Office opens, 7-01, and closes, 5-02 CANADA: 1-10-03, "Arctic Gas Pipeline Construction Impacts On Northern Transp."-Transport Canada-PROLOG Canada Inc.-The Van Horne Institute;Hill Times Reports, 8-30-02; 9-30-02, Cons. Info. Requirements; CBC Archives, Berger Commission; GNWT Economic Impact Study, 5-13-02; GNWT-Purvin & Gertz Study, 5-8-02; Alberta-Alaska MOU 6-02; Draft Pan- Northern Protocol for Oil and Gas Development; Yukon Government Economic Effects: 4-02 & PPT; Gas Pipeline Cooperation Plan Draft & Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board; Mackenzie Valley Pipeline MOU Draft, 6-01; FirstEnergy Analysis: 10-19-01; Integrated Delta Studies; National Post on Mackenzie Pipeline, 1-02;Northern Pipeline Act; Haida Nation v. British Columbia; Indian Claims Commission; Skeena Cellulose decision -- aboriginal consultations required, 12-02; Misc. Pipeline Studies '02 COMPANIES: Alaska Gas Producers Pipeline Team Newsletter, 7-27-01; APG Newsletter: 5-02, 7-02 & 9-02; ArctiGas NEB PIP Filing Background; NRGPC Newsletter: Fall-02; 4-02 ArctiGas Reduces Field Work; BP's Natural Gas Page; Enbridge Perspective; Foothills Perspective; Williams Perspective; YPC Perspective, 7-02 MEDIA REFERENCE: Alaska Journal of Commerce; Alaska Inc. Magazine; Anchorage Daily News; Canadian Broadcasting Corporation; Fairbanks Daily News Miner, Juneau Empire; Northern News Services; Oil & Gas Reporter; Petroleum News Alaska; Whitehorse Star, etc. EXTENDED CONFERENCE NEWS: Alaska Support Industry Alliance, Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Institute, Insight Information, Inuvik Petroleum Shows, International Association of Energy Economists, Resource Development Council for Alaska, Ziff Energy Group
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Northern Gas Pipelines: June news is listed below in chronological order. 6/30-7/1, Weekend: HAPPY CANADA DAY! * See this excellent background report, "Canadian Natural Gas: Review of 1999 
and Outlook to 2010", prepared by Natural Resources Canada, Natural
Gas Division. "Essentially," it says, "all U.S. demand growth since 1994 has
been met by increased imports, mainly from Canada. (By 2010)...currently
uneconomic gas supply sources may be under consideration such as... Alaskan and
Mackenzie Delta gas." * CBC:
Mexican gas may increase gas competition. *
ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS by Ben Spiess--A
high profile environmental group has staked its opposition to an offshore
natural gas pipeline route from Alaska's North Slope to Canada and the Lower 48.
... The group opposes the offshore route through the Beaufort Sea because of
its proximity to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and because it would travel
through the largely undeveloped waters east of Prudhoe Bay. (Note:
Northern Gas Pipelines earlier cautioned that the passage of SB 164 in
Alaska
could indirectly support anti-ANWR efforts.
-dh) * "Environmental Organizations Living Off Fat of the Land",
ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS reprint--7-1-01, 1st of 4 parts-- of Pulitzer Prize-winning
Tom Knudson's SACRAMENTO BEE articles (Not yet uploaded on
ADN
website). "ADN Editor's note: Thirty-one years after the first Earth Day, the
environmental movement has blossomed into a fund-raising, public-relations
machine...." *
HOUSTON CHRONICLE VERSION (Of earlier report,
below)-- Arctic Resources Co. said two Canadian Indian bands endorsed its
proposal to build a pipeline to carry gas from Canada's Arctic to U.S. markets,
rejecting a rival plan from a group led by Exxon Mobil Corp.
6/29: ABORIGINAL LEADERS SUPPORT NORTHERN ROUTE. Late yesterday L arry Tourangeau, Ernie McDonald Land Corporation President, issued a release stating that, "On June 21st and 22nd, northern Canadian Aboriginal leaders met in Norman Wells, NT to consider a natural gas pipeline option developed by Arctic Resources Company (ARC). Following lengthy discussions, the leaders agreed to a series of measures in support of responsible natural gas pipeline development with aboriginal involvement."
The release,
copied here for your convenience, goes on to
say that, "The
Aboriginal leaders who represented the Tulita District and K'ahsho Got'ine
District Land owners as well as representatives from an Alberta Aboriginal group
agreed to endorse a 100% northern Canadian Aboriginal and Native American owned
pipeline program developed by Arctic Resources Company." (See
June and earlier Archives for more complete background on Canadian
aboriginal issues.
See CBC's story here.) * In a
related news release, Arctic Resources Company, Ltd. (ARC) Chairman and
CEO Forrest Hoglund, said "the endorsement
of the Aboriginal leaders marks a major milestone in getting to the right answer
quickly on this important project." That release is
included here for your convenience. When
asked about the company's relationship with the Aboriginal Pipeline Working
Group (APG, or APWG) , advocating a Mackenzie Delta line, ARC President
Bob Murphy told Northern Gas Pipelines, "We're optimistic
about the potential of working with the APG leadership." (Reference map
above:
Enbridge's map
of principal overland routes under consideration, mid-2001.)
* (Author's comment: Much as Alaskan stakeholders have debated
the relative merits of alternate routes and modes for transporting Alaska North
Slope (ANS) gas {i.e. see YPC story below}, so are Canadian political, business
and aboriginal leaders intently negotiating terms and conditions and debating
merits of three projects: a. The Northern Route, combining ANS and
Mackenzie Delta gas in a common transmission line (i.e. promoted by ARC and
certain aboriginal groups, story above, and studied by the Alaskan Gas Producers
Pipeline Team- see Ken Konrad &
Joe Marushack & Robbie
Schilhab & Curtis Thayer
links); b. the
Southern Route (ANS gas only) roughly paralleling the Trans-Alaska Pipeline
System to Fairbanks, then following the Alaska Highway southward (i.e. promoted
by
Foothills Pipe Lines, Ltd.
and studied by the Alaskan Gas Producers Pipeline Team); and c., a Mackenzie
Delta Pipeline tapping only Canadian gas (i.e. promoted by the
Aboriginal Pipeline Group and Mackenzie Delta
Producers). One notes that whereas we hear quite a
lot from various project advocates and politicians, we hear relatively less from
those who own the gas and would be presumed to be major financial
backers of projects: the gas producers. Like any other business group, they are
quietly devoting significant due diligence toward determining the most
efficient, environmentally acceptable way of commercializing their gas
reserves. Thus, while words of proponents and political leaders may be
noteworthy--even influential--the final decisions of producers will likely chart
the future of any northern gas pipeline(s). -dh) *
Yukon Pacific Corporation (YPC), the major
LNG project proponent, has challenged a Purvin and Gertz report entitled "Alaska
Gas Development Strategies",
according to the
"Our
Gas, Our Future" website favouring an LNG project. The
website says, "the report was distributed to subscribers and sponsors (including
the State of Alaska and many private companies) and has been publicly cited on a
number of occasions following its release. ....according to YPC, the reworking
of the report numbers ... finds many critical numbers and facts were not taken
into consideration. YPC states that their numbers differ dramatically in the
producer netback. While P&G shows a .22 $/MMBtu netback (22 cents), YPC numbers
show 1.11 $/MMBtu; an increase of .89 $/MMBtu." The
YPC analysis may be viewed in its entirety, here.
*
KAKISA, N.W.T. , CBC-
Members of the Deh Cho First Nations want more time to discuss the
ownership of a Mackenzie Valley pipeline. After two days of talks at their
ninth annual assembly in Kakisa, they passed a resolution Thursday to hold
another special assembly in Wrigley in August. *
CBC--A record financial
year has given the Alberta government a surplus of $6.4 billion, thanks to
energy revenues in the year 2000 and 2001.
6/28:
ANCHORAGE, from
Rhea DoBosh--Today
the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced the selection of Argonne National
Laboratory as the prime
 Wuerch
noted that virtually all of Anchorage's economic indicators point North and
introduced the City's new web page,
www.muni.org.
* State Representative Lesil McGuire
(Photo-left) told Northern Gas Pipelines after the speech,
"Development and
construction of a gas pipeline is
 the
next logical step in Alaska's resource development. ... It will be a major
economic boost during construction with hundreds if not thousands of family
support jobs. Even with construction complete, the pipeline will provide
similar jobs in the operation and maintenance areas. Many of those people and
their families will live in Anchorage." McGuire is Chair of the House Committee
on Economic Development, Trade and Tourism. "...having access to North Slope
gas across the state," she added, "gives many communities a better opportunity
to bring in much needed industry. For years Alaskan cities and towns have tried
to convince industry to settle here. Despite all of Alaska's selling points,
industry has gone elsewhere because of a lack of reliable, cost effective
energy." *
Bloomberg Business News, NEW YORK
-- Natural gas futures fell to a 13-month low....
6/25: FAIRBANKS DAILY NEWS-MINER, Sean Cockerham--Over the past three days Gwich'in Athabaskan Indians and their environmentalist allies convened in Arctic Village to discuss their fight against oil development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. * CBC Story, ARCTIC VILLAGE, ALASKA - Young Gwitch'in people from Canada and the United States say they're going to take over the fight to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. * WHITEHORSE STAR, 6-25 Star Archive, Stephanie Waddell, (Foothills Purchasing Initiatives)--...This summer, the company is working on a northern business registry. This will give local businesses an opportunity to register with Foothills Pipe Lines Ltd. for its purchasing and contracting system. Throughout the presentation (i.e. last Thursday, in Whitehorse) Patti Balsillie, the community relations coordinator on the project for the company, went over the opportunities that will be presented to businesses. “Foothills is committed to maximum opportunity (for northerners),” she said. ...“Foothills Pipe Lines will purchase goods and services from northern businesses that are able to supply those goods and services to the company on generally competitive terms,” reads an information package provided to council. “Generally competitive includes the aspects of price, quality, capability, service and delivery.” The company also plans to ensure that its contractors and sub-contractors purchase goods and services on the same basis. (Check here for gas pipeline contractor and client company contacts. All Canadian and U.S. pipeline contractors and client companies have been/are invited to provide links for these pages. Also, see 6/22 CBC story below, re: Brian Love.) 6/23-24, Weekend: Northern News Services reports that: (1) the Mackenzie Delta Hotel Group had three tugs tow a 40-room seismic hotel rig to Inuvik to assist in housing an overflow crowd attending the first Inuvik Petroleum Show Friday and Saturday (See Friday story below); and (2) while the Deh Cho First Nations has withdrawn from the Aboriginal Pipeline Group negotiating a 1/3 ownership arrangement with Delta producers, they are still open to supporting the arrangement but only after current investigative findings are discussed at the Deh Cho Assembly in Kakisa June 25-29 * NEW YORK TIMES, By SAM HOWE VERHOVEK--...A photographer's journey along the pipeline, from end to end, suggests that the starkest fears of ecological devastation have not come to pass. * CALGARY, CBC - Canadian Alliance Leader Stockwell Day is hinting that the federal government is poised to launch a new National Energy Program.
6/22:
Whitehorse, YT, CBC--Foothills
Northern Manager Brian Love told Whitehorse Councillors he expects the
oil companies that own the gas to announce construction plans sometime next
year. (He also said...) Yukoners will have access to pipeline gas if the Alaska
Highway route is chosen by the oil companies. * Key Northern Canadian Meetings
begin today. The Inuvik Petroleum Show has filled the
small
Arctic town to overflowing, with
guests (agenda),
while the Sahtu are hosting a meeting of aboriginal groups in
Norman Wells to discuss the ARC 'northern route' proposal vs. the
nearly completed agreement the Aboriginal Pipeline Group (APG)
has negotiated with four major Mackenzie Delta producers for construction of a
Canadian-only line tapping Delta reserves. (See
6/2-10 stories in June Archives)
* CBC,
CALGARY -
The Chretien government says it
will not act alone when it comes to continental energy issues. Federal
Energy Minister Ralph Goodale says there will be consultation with
those who own the energy resources, namely the provinces and territories.
* Commonwealth North's (CWN) meeting with Interior
Secretary Gale Norton this week (see below) again drew attention to the
gas pipeline issue. The
CWN board has charged members of its North Slope gas commercialization study
group with determining: "How can the best
interests of the people of Alaska be realized in the commercialization of the
North Slope natural gas resources?" While the group
continues its research, one
6/21: CBC, FORT MCPHERSON, N.W.T. - Gwich'in teenagers from both sides of the U.S., Canada border are gathering in Arctic Village .... * Oil & Gas Journal, Maureen Lorenzetti, WASHINGTON, DC, June 20 -- A nonpartisan report prepared for the US Congress says new oil drilling technology may be an important factor in addressing the debate over exploration of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge's coastal plain region. Terry Twyman, visiting scholar in Economic Growth and Entrepreneurship of the CRS's Resources, Science, and Industry Division authored the overview. Based on interviews with government and industry officials and other stakeholders, Twyman said the oil industry's drilling methods are vastly different since the development of Prudhoe Bay in the 1970s. "Recent advances in drilling are lessening the footprint of petroleum operations in arctic environments," he said. * Commonwealth North Members
(CWN) and guests filled Anchorage's Hotel Captain Cook ballroom
yesterday morning to hear Interior Secretary Gale Norton's review
of her most recent Alaska trip (See
Anchorage Daily News story). CWN Vice
President Joe Griffith (Photo, with
Secretary Norton, 6-20-01; Griffith is Chugach Electric Association's Executive
Manager-Finance and Energy Supply, active on
CWN 's North Slope gas commercialization study project),
congratulated the Secretary's recent appointees: Cam Toohey,
Special Assistant for Alaska, and Drue Pearce, Senior Advisor
on Alaska Affairs. Toohey fills the traditional top Interior job in Alaska
while Pearce will move to the Capital in mid-August, advising the Secretary on
Alaska matters. (Photo below, State Senate President Pearce and
Governor Walter J. Hickel following Norton's presentation. The two have in
common, being appointed to high rankng Interior positions and achievement of
elected office).
Norton presented former Interior Secretary and CWN co-founder, Walter J. Hickel, with a memento--a "token of the respect we at the Department have for you...." She spoke about many hours of visiting and listening to citizen concerns in Arctic Village and Kaktovik, and indicated her optimism at "...finding ways to maintain caribou herds and protect the environment while tapping the resources below ground." While focusing more on Trans Alaska Pipeline, ANWR and NPR issues, she answered a gas pipeline routing question, saying "I think there will be a natural gas pipeline that meets the needs ...." Dr. Arlon Tussing's presentation to IAEE, informal notes on main talk points, courtesy Will Nebesky, IAEE Chapter President: "Arlon related the history of gas pricing with regulation reform and provided a critical review of the performance of price forecasting services as reflected in DOE Energy Information Administration past forecasts....(more)"
6/20: On
this day in 1977, construction of the nearly 800 mile Trans-Alaska Pipeline was
completed with a dedicated army of 23,000 workers and an investment of $7.7
billion. While the original reserves are depleting, Alaska's exploration
companies are discovering new oil & gas and U.S. consumers continue to depend on
the pipeline's operator,
Alyeska Pipeline Service Company-currently
providing over 15% of domestic oil production. "...Prudhoe Bay has produced
more than 10 billion barrels of crude," BP Alaska's Regional President,
Richard Campbell told registrants at the
6th Natural Gas
Conversion Symposium in Girdwood this week. "...while this is a
billion barrels more than experts at the time projected..., we're confident
we'll be able to produce at least another 3 billion barrels." Campbell also
briefed the group on BP's $86 million GTL plant now under construction in
Nikiski, saying that, "With construction of this plant, a major portion of BP's
global GTL program has now shifted to Alaska." Campbell also addressed
commercialization of North Slope gas, saying major producers "...are working
together to prove the viability of a gas pipeline to deliver ... gas to
growing...markets..... If all goes well, we will have an application filed with
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission...and the National Energy Board...in
the not-too-distant future." (See
BP's Juneau Report-Winter 2000 &
Current Alaska Inc. Magazine report.)
* After their trip to the Kenai Peninsula this week, Lieutenant
Governor Fran Ulmer told Northern Gas Pipelines that
Interior Secretary Gale Norton is interested in understanding Alaska,
"as is appropriate since half of the public lands managed by DOI are in
Alaska". Ulmer said she "...welcomed the opportunity to spend Sunday
with Secretary Norton on the Kenai River, as it provided a great opportunity to
talk about the challenges that land managers face. We discussed the abundance
of natural gas," she said, "and the state's hope for
6/19:
CBC,
INUVIK, N.W.T. - There's a big 'no
vacancy' sign hanging over the
town of Inuvik this week. ...larger-than-expected number of people attending a petroleum show that starts later this week. Initially, about 200 people were expected to
participate. That's more than doubled.... The town has stopped accepting
registrations ... not enough room .... Peter Clarkson ... mayor of
Inuvik. "The attention and interest in this has been overwhelming," he
says. "People looked at how much money is going to be spent in the oil and gas
and pipeline area in the next three to four years." * CALGARY
HERALD, Stephen Ewart--If the Deh Cho First Nation
hopes to negotiate a land-claim settlement with Ottawa it will not get a better
bargaining chip than the Mackenzie Valley pipeline, said Northwest Territories
Premier Stephen Kakfwi.... Analyst Ed Small of
Cambridge Energy Research Associates noted there are potential rivals in Alaskan
and Scotian shelf gas as well as development of liquefied natural gas technology
to the N.W.T....(See
Archives, 5-25 Ed Small report here) *
CBC, CALGARY - Prime Minister Jean
Chretien extended an olive branch to Albertans Monday night.... He
also said he approved of Premier Ralph Klein's trip to Washington to press the
province's reasons to be involved in any negotiations on a continental energy
program. * DENVER--Forest Oil Corporation announced
today the successful Cook Inlet, Redoubt Unit No. 2 well extends the field from
the discovery well. Forrest drilled to a total depth of 15,325 feet and
estimates the production rate at 3,000 barrels of oil per day. With the results
of the No. 2 well, the Company estimates that recoverable oil in Redoubt Shoal
will exceed 50 million barrels. (See
Archives, 4-19-01 story, Gary Carlson re: 'New Cook Inlet Prospects'.)
*
6th Natural Gas Conversion Symposium-June 17-22, 2001 Girdwood, AK-Alaska
Science & Technology
Foundation-ngcs@kcihq.com
*
Dawn Ostrem,
Northern
News Services,
INUVIK - Anderson
Resources spent at least $30 million on drilling in the NWT and will be back
again this winter after a summer of seismic exploration. *
HAY
RIVER HUB EDITORIAL: You can’t have your cake and eat it, too.
Or, in this case, you can’t have your pipeline and own it all, too. The
Deh Cho and the NWT in general should be breathing a sigh of relief that natural
gas producers, led by Imperial Oil, are taking the high road. The could just as
well have taken their pipeline plans to Alaska. Instead, they’ve agreed to wait
until the Deh Cho are ready to ink a deal. The Deh Cho’s decision to not sign
an agreement that would lead to aboriginals owning one-third of a $3 billion
pipeline looks, on the surface, like a sign that they’re not yet ready for such
development. That was the same message given during the
Berger inquiry. Let’s hope it’s not
another 25 years before the Deh Cho can say they’re ready. The problem, it
would seem, is more political. Deh Cho leaders, for the most part, seemed ready
to sign the deal. But they’re being held back by constituents, including
traditionalists, who want more information and more control. While wanting to
have all the information on the table is a good thing, so is having trust in
your leaders.
6/18 (and week-end update): ANCHORAGE
DAILY NEWS, Elizabeth Manning, 6/17--Noting the
importance of Alaska to President Bush's energy plan, Interior Secretary
Gale Norton (Photo) on
Saturday named not one but two Interior Department special assistants to work on
Alaska issues. (Note: at this time, 9:45 a.m., AST, Norton is holding a
Department of Interior meeting at the
Alaska Center for the Performing Arts.)
*
WHITEHORSE,
6/12 – Premier Pat Duncan has introduced Riverside MLA
Scott Kent as the Yukon’s new Minister of Economic Development. Kent,
who was sworn in during a brief ceremony at the legislature this morning, takes
over the portfolio from Duncan. “Scott Kent brings a wealth of experience to
his new job,” said Duncan. “He was a member of the business community for 10
years before being elected. He knows what it takes for a business to survive
through the ups and downs of the Yukon’s economy.” Kent (Photo,
author introduces Honourable Scott Kent-right, Yukon Legislative Assembly @
PacRim Conference, 2/14/2001) remarked that,
“I look forward to
working with members of the
With most gas pipeline news for the last month flowing from the Canadian side of the border, momentum in Canada is building for approval of a transmission line tapping only the gas reserves in the Mackenzie Delta. Four producing companies there are working with leaders of northern territorial governments and aboriginal groups on a concept providing local equity ownership (see stories below). Questioned about a Canadian-only project's impact on Alaska planning, Konrad said, "The North American market can accommodate both Mackenzie Delta and Alaska North Slope gas. With annual demand growth of 1-2 bcfd (billion cubic feet per day) and more significantly, the natural decline of existing wells and fields, there will be an annual call for new supplies of up to 10 bcfd. These supplies will come from many sources including tight gas, coalbed gas, field extensions, infill drilling, deepwater Gulf of Mexico, LNG and eastern Canada among others." "If Alaska can create a project that has a competitive cost of supply against these alternatives," Konrad concluded, "the market will accommodate us. Approval of a Canadian-only line at around 1 bcfd would not materially alter gas market dynamics. However, due to the limited pipe manufacturing capacity and expert labor available for such mammoth projects, approval of one pipeline could result in delays for other large projects in a similar time frame." -dh
CALGARY HERALD (by Chris Varcoe)--Ambassador
Paul Cellucci said Tuesday the new American administration would like
Canadian officials to speed up approval for new energy projects, including major
pipeline and electricity developments. Two days before Alberta Premier
Ralph Klein (See
CBC story) meets with U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney
to discuss energy, Cellucci told a Canadian audience his government wants to
increase energy sales between the two trading partners. While governments don't
build pipelines or other energy infrastructure, they can grant permits faster,
he said at a meeting in Ottawa. ... Energy economist Andre
Plourde of the University of Alberta agreed new investments
in power plants and gas pipelines will be driven by companies, not government
policies. (emphasis added -dh) * This week in Calgary (NORTH
OF SIXTY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES CENTRE GO-EXPO): "The
Alaska Support Industry Alliance - Is it time for a Canadian Counterpart to
Support Northern Pipeline Construction?" Larry Houle, The
Alaska Support Industry Alliance;
6/12: Maureen Lorenzetti, OGJ Online, WASHINGTON, DC, June 12 -- "US House Republican leaders are drafting legislation that includes several highly controversial proposals sought by the oil industry but vehemently opposed by environmental groups" ...including, "opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge coastal plain to exploration, reducing state authority over coastal zone management, and expanding deepwater royalty relief...." * CALGARY HERALD-- Designed as a median between the annual National Petroleum Show and the bi-annual Global Petroleum Show...GO-EXPO will feature more than 500 indoor and 60 outdoor exhibits today through Thursday at the Roundup Centre, including a special "North of Sixty Business Opportunities" feature that highlights future exploration and development options in Alaska, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. * YELLOWKNIFE – Premier Kakfwi says the work of the Aboriginal Pipeline Group (APG) will provide long term revenue benefits for the Aboriginal people of the NWT and has confirmed the GNWT’s support for the partnership. * Alberta's Premier Ralph Klein is in Ottawa today meeting with Federal officials just prior to his meetings in Washington later in the week with Vice President Cheney and other government leaders. Edmonton Journal Political Editor, Graham Thomson--Yesterday, Klein spoke on Provincial energy revenues to a sold out Chamber of Commerce audience in Halifax. 6/11: (***See stories below): FAIRBANKS DAILY NEWS-MINER: "Alaska Gasline Port Authority is and remains a risky investment, offering prospects for a truly spectacular payoff but absolutely no guarantee that its promise will be realized. (Advocates want another $50,000 investment from the Borough; report says Borough Mayor Rhonda Boyles wants business plan. -dh)" * YELLOWKNIFE, N.W.T., CBC - Canadian North has announced a new flight from Calgary direct to Yellowknife and Inuvik beginning July 9...requested by oil and gas industry..... * NORMAN WELLS, N.W.T., CBC - A Sahtu business leader is upset with the Aboriginal Pipeline Working Group. (See related 6/8 stories, and others ***, below) * June is an important pipeline meeting month: Governor's Alaska Highway Natural Gas Policy Council: 6-14,Tok. Dr. Arlon R. Tussing, Anchorage Chapter of the International Association of Energy Economists (IAEE),"Natural Gas Markets: Long Term Price Trends", 6/15. NORTH OF SIXTY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES CENTRE GO-EXPO, 6/12-14. 6th Natural Gas Conversion Symposium-Girdwood, AK-Alaska Science & Technology Foundation-ngcs@kcihq.com, 6/17-22. Inuvik Petroleum Show, Agenda, the show is sold out, 6/21-22***. Sahtu hosted meeting in Norman Wells, 6/21-22***. Deh Cho Nation assembly, Kakisa, NWT, 6/26-28*** * VOICE OF THE TIMES--Perhaps Americans and Canadians concerned about immoral, unpatriotic and dangerous disinformation programs should read of the latest outrage, courtesy of Field & Stream, and thankfully exposed; then refer to what the "Bucket Brigade" is doing to defend against such deceit. * Vote here on exploring ANWR, a slight majority answering this poll, as of today, say "yes".
6-10:
ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS, Ben Spiess--"But
the stealth player in this game may be Calgary-based
Foothills Pipeline. The
company holds a sheaf of critical permits that may give it the right under U.S.
and Canadian law to construct and operate a pipeline from Prudhoe Bay south
along the Alaska Highway to the Lower 48." (Interview with Mike
Stewart, co-chief executive of Foothills Pipe Lines Ltd. and executive
vice president of
Westcoast Energy)
*
NEW YORK TIMES FEATURE: ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE
REFUGE — "They journeyed above the Arctic Circle and
beyond the Brooks Range, to a spot called Caribou Pass on the Kongakut River
near its mouth at the Arctic Ocean. It was not easy, nor was it cheap." (See
ANWR Page) 6/9: YELLOWKNIFE, N.W.T. - NWT Legislature debates energy policy, wants gas for local use as Alaska does. (CBC story) * Premier Kakfwi statements: "the price of gas is dropping... and time is of the essence.... "If the Alaskans are determined to get it out through the state and through the lower Yukon, by the time the Deh Cho come ... to sign, the deal may not be on the table any more.... ... some of the chiefs ... need time ... so I think they made the right decision," he says. * Hay River, NNS reports various viewpoints: - Deh Cho First Nation Grand Chief Michael Nadli is holding out hope that a deal can be struck on the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline later this month. "We're not closing a door -- we want that door to stay open," Nadli said after he refused to sign a memorandum of understanding following two days of talks between territorial leaders on the Hay River Dene Reserve. Nellie Cournoyea (Photo below), chair of the Aboriginal Pipeline Group, (APG) said ... "This is very, very good news; they're certainly willing to tackle the situation as quickly as possible and I believe they will." Senior vice-president of Imperial Oil Limited, K.C. Williams said..., "The producer group is encouraged by the progress we've made. We are grateful to the aboriginal leaders for their hard work in helping to negotiate principles they believe represent the interests of their people." ...Randy Ottenbreit of Imperial Oil said, "we understand that aboriginal support is essential to the success of the project." ...Larry Tourangeau, president of the Ernie MacDonald Land Corporation and other Sahtu delegates agreed to "sign with reservations." ...Winter Lennie, president of the Western Arctic Energy Corporation wants the leaders hold out for 100 per cent ownership of the pipeline.... APG Deh Cho representatives Doug Cardinal and Dennis Nelner ... "...disappointed...confident progress will be made." ..."As much as we love the land and are determined to look after it, we all know we can no longer make a living hunting and trapping," (quoting Fred Carmichael, president of the Gwich'in Tribal Council) "...Let's face it, we are in the year 2001 and the way of life for aboriginal people has changed." * In this excellent feature, Terry Halifax of Northern News Services provides additional perspectives of the meeting: Dennie Lennie, chair of the Inuvialuit Development Corporation...., "We've all heard that there is a race on between the Alaska pipeline and Canada's pipeline through our area," Lennie said. "In Canada's eyes, we are being watched today and hopefully we can work something out to share our resources and our wealth with the rest of Canada." (See Friday's report below.)
In a prepared statement, Cournoyea went on to say that the "...memorandum establishes a set of principles and processes to be utilized in developing benefit agreements and related arrangements and sets out the conditions within which the Aboriginal Peoples of the NWT will have a one-third interest in a Mackenzie Valley pipeline being studied by the Producers Group. The Producers Group is composed of Imperial Oil Resources, Gulf Canada Resources, Shell Canada and ExxonMobil Canada." Some factions of the APG, as reported here earlier, are studying the prospects of 100% aboriginal ownership of a pipeline accessing both Mackenzie Delta and Prudhoe Bay reserves, as proposed by the ARC group. Cournoyea told Northern Gas Pipelines that "Legislation to allow funding for 100% aboriginal ownership is not available in Canada. In any case, I'm not sure we would want 100% of the ownership; we'd then have 100% of the liability and the operating responsibility." The remaining text of Cournoyea's APG statement follows: "The leaders of the Deh Cho Nation have requested a delay of the signing the Memorandum of Understanding by the Producers Group until their assembly at the end of June 26 – 28 in Kakisa, NWT. "The Producers Group have agreed to delay signing the MOU pending the outcome of the assembly at the end of the month. The Aboriginal Pipeline Group has been working cooperatively with the Producers Group to define principles appropriate to guide future work that may lead to regulatory approval of a Mackenzie Valley pipeline, its design and construction. The MOU is the result of that work. "The Aboriginal Pipeline Group originated in January, 2000 in Ft. Laird where the Aboriginal leaders of the NWT resolved: 'We the aboriginal people of the Northwest Territories agree in principle to build a business partnership to maximize ownership and benefits of a Mackenzie Valley Pipeline.' "The work of the APG began on June 30, 2000 in Fort Simpson. A Working Group was formed and is composed of representatives appointed by leaders to carry out the mandate to 'form a business alliance and develop a business plan to achieve the NWT Aboriginal Leaders Vision'. On August 25, 2000 the Working Group selected a small group, the Executive Committee, to carry out the tasks needed to fulfill the mandate. "The Executive Committee has: · Obtained short term funding from (Government of the NWT) and (DIAD) to undertake these tasks.· Formed a business alliance with the “Producers Group”.· Negotiated a “business case” which, when approved and implemented, will achieve the goal of maximizing ownership and benefits."The business alliance has consisted of a relationship between the executive of the APG and representatives of the Producers Group. APG has incorporated a company called Mackenzie Valley Aboriginal Pipeline Corporation. A formal arrangement, called “Memorandum of Understanding” has been negotiated between the Mackenzie Valley Aboriginal Pipeline Corporation and Imperial Oil Resources Ltd., Gulf Canada Resources Ltd., Shell Canada Limited and ExxonMobil Canada Properties. " This MOU was presented to the Aboriginal Leaders of the NWT on June 5-6, 2001 in Hay River for ratification and signing."The agreement calls for the Mackenzie Valley Aboriginal Pipeline Corporation, on behalf of the Aboriginal peoples of the NWT, to take a one-third interest in a Mackenzie Valley Pipeline. APG must obtain financing and bring its share of shipping commitments to the project. "The Producers Group supports this participation and will work actively to assist APG with these tasks. "The final signing of the agreement awaits the deliberation of the Deh Cho First Nations communities at their assembly on June 26-28, 2001." Hay River --Today, Mayor Duncan McNeill told the author that of the meetings earlier this week in his town, "Total agreement was not reached; however, I expect it will be reached by the end of June. There do not appear to be any serious obstacles." (See Hay River story below, 5/6/01) Larry Tourangeau questions Joe Handley and Stephen Kakfwi’s comments and actions regarding the proposed Mackenzie Valley Pipeline. (Author's note: Various perspectives of the week's events, below. -dh)
6/7: OIL
& GAS JOURNAL, CALGARY-- (Please see more current update, above. dh)
"Mackenzie Delta producers failed Wednesday to get a deal with all Aboriginal
groups on proposed plans for a natural gas pipeline from the Canadian Arctic to
southern markets.... 'We
are encouraged by the support which was shown for the proposed memorandum, and
we realize that work still needs to be done. We are breaking new ground, and the
discussions are complex,' said K.C. Williams, senior vice-pres.
of Imperial and spokesman for the producer group.... Winter
Lennie of the Western Arctic Energy Corp. said native leaders should
aim for 100% ownership of a pipeline and said that is essential to absolute
control of what happens on their lands (See weekend story below.)..... NWT
Premier Stephen Kakfwi told Aboriginal leaders that a Mackenzie Valley
pipeline could be delayed for 10 to 15 years if a competing pipeline from Alaska
is developed first...." (Map:
Enbridge's map of principal overland routes
under consideration. Author's note: Next step is a Norman Wells 6/6: Hay River (A.M. Interview & Comment)--Today, Mayor Duncan McNeill's town is hosting a conference of industry and aboriginal leaders that could well direct historical outcome of the great pipeline debate (See history). McNeill, part-time mayor of Hay River who works as a financial planner for Sun Life Assurance of Canada, says, "It's a very exciting day and at the end of the day there will be agreement; but the 'end of the day' may not be today, as several issues may remain to be solved." Gathered this week in Hay River are leaders of the Deh Cho, Gwitch’in, Inuvialuit, and Sahtu groups, joined by Mackenzie Delta Producer representatives (See weekend story below). The Aboriginal Pipeline Group (APG) is proposing an agreement with industry involving a 1/3 interest in a Mackenzie Delta -only pipeline. As of this morning, some Deh Cho representatives were still undecided on final terms and some Sahtu representatives seek 100% line ownership of a project which includes the economies of scale offered by including Alaska North Slope gas volumes. (Both Deh Cho and Sahtu are represented in APG.) According to McNeill, "Everyone is aware of economies of scale for a project involving Alaska gas; but whichever project goes first could result in delay for the other line due to limited gasline construction manpower and limited worldwide pipe production capabilities. (See editorials)" Larry Tourangeau, a Sahtu and the president of Ernie McDonald Land Corp., has already called for a another aboriginal meeting later this month in Norman Wells to evaluate the ARC 'over the top' proposal, advocating up to 100-per-cent aboriginal ownership of the line. -dh * HAY RIVER HUB, by SEAN PERCY, editor- (Deh Cho First Nation) Grand Chief Michael Nadli said the APWG has given the impression that all aboriginal groups have given approval to a Mackenzie Valley pipeline. Because the Deh Cho has yet to sign even a framework agreement (that happens later this week in Fort Simpson), there are many steps to be taken before the Deh Cho can approve a pipeline, Nadli suggested. * CBC North, HAY RIVER, N.W.T. --"Chiefs reluctant to approve deal," but "...there is pressure for a decision. Many chiefs say they want development now. They say they don't want to have to wait another 25 years, like they did after the Berger inquiry." * CBC, HAY RIVER, NWT--Decision expected today: "The stakeholders are meeting in Hay River this week to work out the details on a deal that would give aboriginal people one-third ownership in (a Mackenzie Delta-only pipeline). The plan was agreed to in principle last year." * Inuvik Petroleum Show coordinator, Patricia Black, has provided us the Agenda for this year's Show on June 21 and 22. She began organizing the event 6 weeks ago, cautions that the show is sold out, and... "will likely become an annual event given the incredible draw that this one has had." June 20 & 21 are the tentative show dates for 2002; inquire with Town of Inuvik directly at 867-777-2607. -dh &n |
(Photo) said she remains hopeful that the DCFN will decide to get on board with
the APG following the Deh Cho Assembly (Kakisa June 25-29). * Alberta
Natural Gas Royalty Regulation, A.R. 351/93
"A
View to the North", Bob Reid (Photo),
Senior Vice President-Northern Projects, TransCanada PipeLines, Ltd. (