Assures

BP’s oil and natural gas reserves in Alaska approach 7 billion boe — the largest single item within its global portfolio — and with those types of numbers, the company will remain a major North Slope player for at least 40 years, and probably longer than that, an executive affirmed last week.

With its known Alaska oil and natural gas reserves approaching 7 billion boe — its largest single source in its global portfolio, BP plc will be a major player on the North Slope for at least 40 years and most likely, longer, the company’s Alaska chief affirmed this week.

The major accord signed by Canadian gas industry stakeholders lastweek that virtually assures construction of the Alliance Pipelineproject (See GPI Daily, April 9) hasmade the fate of the competing 1.4 Bcf/d Viking Voyageur projectextremely doubtful. Voyageur sponsors TransCanada PipeLines andNorthern States Power were in meetings all day Monday and Tuesday andan announcement is expected later this week. One Voyageur officialsaid all options are possible, including shelving the 800-milepipeline project.

Peace broke out in the Canadian natural gas community. A newpact on competition in the industry virtually assures constructionof the Alliance Pipeline Project, approval of the merger betweenTransCanada PipeLines and Nova Corp., and a settlement on a newtolling regime on Nova’s Alberta gathering grid.