Talks Begin to Join Pipeline Projects - Houston Chronicle via Alaska Highway Pipeline blog
Kudos to AK Engineer in picking this item up from the Houston Chronicle. It's a big one.
To me, the Denali project was something of a red herring from the beginning; more of an effort to discredit the AGIA process than a serious project. That there is now a quiet public acknowledgement that Denali's proponents (ConocoPhilips and BP) are now seeking to merge their project with TCPL's is significant.
This is actually very, very good news. Everyone knew that there was no way both projects would be built, and Denali was the dark horse from the outset. It diverted attention and resources, and perhaps even some credibility, from TCPL's AGIA-sanctioned project. A single project that enjoys the support of ALL the North Slope producers stands a much better chance of proceeding to construction.
The timing of this announcement is significant, too. There's still over a month on TCPL's Open Season; if the Denali proponents are quietly shifting support, it will be somewhat less of a surprise when the nominations close and they are both found to have "thrown in" with their competitor.
None of this is a huge surprise. I noted myself that BP's difficulties in the Gulf of Mexico could ultimately hamper its ability to remain in the Denali project. I think I'll engage in a little wild speculation here and suggest that the Obama administration may have applied a little political pressure on BP to move this way.
No comments:
Post a Comment