Legislature(2005 - 2006)BUTROVICH 205
04/13/2005 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB163 | |
| SCR6 | |
| SCR7 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 53 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 163 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SCR 6 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SCR 7 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SCR 7-OIL AND GAS REG REVISIONS
CHAIR THOMAS WAGONER announced SCR 7 to be up for consideration.
MARY JACKSON, staff to Senator Wagoner, said this resolution
came from the Kenai meeting also. Practically speaking, a
gentleman named James Udelhoven who began work in Cook Inlet in
the late 1960's cautioned, "Don't make the first hurdle so big
that the new kid won't try to take the hurdle."
She said this resolution was created to applaud the efforts that
have been made to streamline permitting and to insure that those
efforts are continued.
MARK MYERS, Director, Division of Oil and Gas and State
Geological Survey, supported SCR 7 saying it would eliminate
overhead and duplication.
4:19:01 PM
CHAIR WAGONER said the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA)
could work at a faster rate and has already demonstrated that
recently.
SENATOR RALPH SEEKINS asked for examples of enhanced
attractiveness of exploration and development.
MR. MYERS replied that some outstanding examples are in the
Beaufort Sea where Teck Cominco and Armstrong Resources bought
leases and within four months had their permits to drill in the
Beaufort Sea, which is usually one of the hardest places to
permit because of the environmental issues, remoteness of
location and concerns over subsistence resources. They have
developed good working relationships with the North Slope
Borough, which is necessary. Kerr McGee did the same with two
separate rigs this winter and last. These companies are brand
new to Alaska. He explained that the hearing process within the
communities has to happen up front and that while it is labor-
intensive, it streamlines the process later on.
4:22:51 PM
SENATOR SEEKINS asked if the streamlining had been accomplished
through efforts of the legislature or just through incentives
initiated by the administration.
MR. MYERS replied that the legislature has enhanced the process
by funding some positions and moving program offices like
Coastal Zone Management into the Department of Natural
Resources. It has provided funding on a case-by-case basis for
project coordinators and supported budget increases at times for
agencies like DEC in critical areas. Having extra folks on staff
has been critically important.
4:24:45 PM
CHAIR WAGONER related that other companies are going to drill in
the Beaufort Sea.
MR. MYERS replied that ConocoPhillips has a well, Kerr McGee has
multiple wells and Pioneer is looking at development. Another
well will potentially be shallow-drilled off the Point McIntyre
area.
CHAIR WAGONER asked if Pioneer was in the process of having a
platform built for them.
MR. MYERS replied yes, it is lighter weight and more mobile. He
said Pioneer is not actively drilling this year, but they are
assessing sanctioning a development project from the earlier
successful drilling out there about two years ago.
4:26:19 PM
SENATOR SEEKINS moved to pass SCR 7 from committee with
individual recommendations and zero fiscal note. There were no
objections and it was so ordered.
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