Thursday, April 29, 2010

Open Season - It's a Go!

Today marks a significant milestone in the process to build the Alaska Gas Pipeline. TransCanada and ExxonMobil (Alaska Pipeline Project - APP) have announced (LINK) the beginning of the open season.

Two options are on the APP menu - Pipeline to Alberta, or Pipeline to Valdez for a future LNG plant.

Later this year the Denali Pipeline (LINK) will get cracking with their open season for a competing pipeline to Canada.

The score so far for those playing the game at home:

TransCanadaExxonMobil (APP)
Using other peoples money (AGIA) +1, First Open Season +1, Multiple Options including an All Alaska option +1 (Subtotal +3). Denali Pipeline: Still in the game +1, Second out of the chute -1, no all Alaska option -1 (Subtotal -1). Both projects get a -1 for failing to join up and push for one project.

Side note - An 18 month stretch of mega overtime (OT) is coming to an end for me, so I have more time to devote to fishing, and attending to this blog. I've been in the constant OT game for over a decade and I'm look forward to some 3 day weekends. On the other hand - I'd like to see a pipeline project slide into gear. With a bit of luck that might just happen. Your thoughts are always appreciated- Thanks.

Monday, April 19, 2010

A Job Posting!

You heard it here first! One of my goals for this sleeply little blog is to pass on any news of jobs on the Alaska Gas Pipeline.

Job Title: Senior Project Engineer
Agency: Office of the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects Job Announcement Number: OFC-010-0004
SALARY RANGE: 100,500.00 - 130,500.00 USD /year
OPEN PERIOD: Tuesday, April 13, 2010 to Friday, April 23, 2010
SERIES & GRADE: AD-130008010819-00/00
POSITION INFORMATION: Full-Time Permanent DUTY LOCATIONS: 1 vacancy - Anchorage, AK
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: Applications will be accepted from United States citizens and nationals

(LINK)

Good Luck! And provide some feedback (positive or negative) if you apply for the job.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

FERC Gives Go-Ahead for Open Season

I'm still reading and digesting this FERC Order (LINK).

Essentially FERC is satisfied with the TranCanada / Exxon open season plan.

It documents the fact that all parties are not in total agreement, but the process is moving forward.

The Bottom Line:

X Conclusion95. Conditioned on the modifications required herein pertaining to the opening of the data rooms and the revisions to the Compliance plan and standards of conduct, herein, the Commission finds that TC Alaska’s detailed plan for conductingan open season for the purpose of making binding commitments for the acquisition of initial capacity on the Alaska Pipeline Project is in conformance with theOpen Season regulations and it is therefore approved. We encourage TC Alaska and potential shippers to work together to resolve any issues arising during the implementation of the open season plan, during the open season, or the during negotiations after the close of the open season.