Oil production

Fall colors are seen on Aug. 24, 2015, along the Canning River on the western edge of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, the last entity to hold leases in the refuge coastal plan, has gone to federal court to try to get the canceled leases reinstated. (Photo by Katrina Liebich/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Alaska development agency sues federal government over canceled oil leases

Lawsuit about ANWR drilling argues Biden administration put politics over legal mandates

Fall colors are seen on Aug. 24, 2015, along the Canning River on the western edge of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, the last entity to hold leases in the refuge coastal plan, has gone to federal court to try to get the canceled leases reinstated. (Photo by Katrina Liebich/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
An aerial shows the footprint of the test well drilled in the mid-1980s on land owned by the Kaktovik Native village corporation within the 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The well is 14 miles east of Kaktovik and the melting the Beaufort Sea is at the top of the picture. One of the bidders in an oil and gas lease sale for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge last year has canceled the lease it bought, the U.S. Interior Department said. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Interior cancels remaining leases in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

The U.S. Interior Department on Wednesday canceled seven oil and gas leases in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge that were part of a sale held… Continue reading

An aerial shows the footprint of the test well drilled in the mid-1980s on land owned by the Kaktovik Native village corporation within the 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The well is 14 miles east of Kaktovik and the melting the Beaufort Sea is at the top of the picture. One of the bidders in an oil and gas lease sale for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge last year has canceled the lease it bought, the U.S. Interior Department said. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Loons swim near a pipeline and other oil field infrastructure at the Greater Prudhoe Bay Unit on Alaska’s North Slope in this undated photo. A new study finds that nest survival is lower for birds closer to high-use infrastructure. (Photo by Kayla Scheimreif/Wildlife Conservation Society)

Study: The closer that birds’ nests are to Prudhoe oil infrastructure, the lower the survival rates

A long-term study of birds that summer around the Prudhoe Bay oil complex found that nest survival for all bird types decreased significantly the closer… Continue reading

Loons swim near a pipeline and other oil field infrastructure at the Greater Prudhoe Bay Unit on Alaska’s North Slope in this undated photo. A new study finds that nest survival is lower for birds closer to high-use infrastructure. (Photo by Kayla Scheimreif/Wildlife Conservation Society)
A graph shows projected monetary losses and gains for government and private stakeholders in the Willow oil field project, which for the state is expected to reach a break-even point in 2030, a year after production is scheduled to begin. But a complex set of tax structures and unknown variables may cause those predictions to differ considerably. (Alaska Department of Natural Resources)

State offers brighter financial forecast for Willow

Instead of losing $1B during first decade, Alaska will break-even by 2030, revised forecast shows

A graph shows projected monetary losses and gains for government and private stakeholders in the Willow oil field project, which for the state is expected to reach a break-even point in 2030, a year after production is scheduled to begin. But a complex set of tax structures and unknown variables may cause those predictions to differ considerably. (Alaska Department of Natural Resources)
A sign points to the two wells, Tinmiaq 2 and 6, that are part of ConocoPhillips Willow project in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. (Courtesy of ConocoPhillips)

Many ‘what’s next’ questions remain for Willow and drilling ban

Newly approved project facing lawsuits, while halt on new activity may not be relevant or permanent.

A sign points to the two wells, Tinmiaq 2 and 6, that are part of ConocoPhillips Willow project in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. (Courtesy of ConocoPhillips)
The Associated Press A map shows the location of the Willow oil field project in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, where more than 200 drills are scheduled to be drilled during a 30-year period if approved.

Willow approval expected next week, Bloomberg and CNN reports

The Willow oil field project in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska will be officially approved by the Biden administration next week, according to reports from CNN… Continue reading

The Associated Press A map shows the location of the Willow oil field project in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, where more than 200 drills are scheduled to be drilled during a 30-year period if approved.
A ConocoPhillips oil rig operating during winter on Alaska’s North Slope is featured on the cover of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s report recommending approval of the Willow oil project ConocoPhillips is seeking to develop. The Alaska State House on Monday approved a resolution asking the Biden administration to give final approval to a project allowing three drilling pads with the possibility of a fourth (compared to the five pads the oil company originally sought), as recommended by the BLM. (U.S. Bureau of Land Management)

Alaska House unanimously OKs Willow resolution

Supporters say North Slope oil project overwhelmingly favored by locals, addresses opponents’ worries.

A ConocoPhillips oil rig operating during winter on Alaska’s North Slope is featured on the cover of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s report recommending approval of the Willow oil project ConocoPhillips is seeking to develop. The Alaska State House on Monday approved a resolution asking the Biden administration to give final approval to a project allowing three drilling pads with the possibility of a fourth (compared to the five pads the oil company originally sought), as recommended by the BLM. (U.S. Bureau of Land Management)