January 2012 – Welcome

Ambler District road may not be enough to get a mine

January 26, 2012

The state Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has released its summary of a reconnaissance study of possible road and rail routes to the Ambler Mining District of the western Brooks Range. The least expensive option, and the quickest to build, appears to be a road from the Dalton Highway to the Ambler district. Other routes for roads, and several options for railroads in the study, were longer and more expensive. There are three significant known mineral deposits in the…

Oil operators cautiously optimistic about 2012

January 10, 2012

Alaska oil and gas operators are cautiously optimistic about prospects in 2012 on several fronts. Here’s an outline of where things stand for the industry in the new year: • The state Legislature will resume work on a revamp of the state’s oil and gas production tax when it goes into its annual session Jan. 17, and although the measure remains highly controversial there are some signs that key obstacles may be overcome. • Shell is very close to securing…