A new review by the Office of the Federal Coordinator examines all of the proposed projects for Alaska's natural gas, including the project background, estimated costs, timeline, current status and pros and cons. The review, authored by Bill White, covers the following projects:
- Pipeline to Alberta. This is the TransCanada/ExxonMobil project under AGIA. $32 to $41 billion in 2009 dollars, first gas 2020.
- Pipeline to Southcentral. This project is sponsored by the Alaska Gasline Development Authority, a state agency. $5.3 to $9.8 billion in 2011 dollars, first gas 2018-2019.
- Pipeline to Valdez. Primarily a project of the Alaska Gasline Port Authority, a joint venture of the Fairbanks North Star Borough and City of Valdez. TransCanada/ExxonMobil did review this alternative, but the pipeline to Alberta is their preferred route. No current cost estimates are available from the project sponsors, but the Office of the Federal Coordinator estimates the project will cost $43 to $49 billion. No timeline is available; the review characterizes this project as "dormant."
- Cook Inlet Gas. Through state incentives, two companies are drilling exploration wells. The review does not list costs or a timeline for these projects.
- Imported LNG. Enstar, Chugach Electric and Anchorage's Municipal Light & Power are looking at this option to fill a supply gap that starts in 2014.
- Gas to Fairbanks by Truck or Pipe. Fairbanks Natural Gas, which trucks Cook Inlet gas to customers in Fairbanks, has looked at trucking from the North Slope. Golden Valley Electric and Flint Hills Refinery in Fairbanks are looking at a separate trucking project. A third company, Fairbanks Pipeline Company, is exploring a pipeline from the North Slope to Fairbanks, with an estimated cost of about $700 million.
The review indicates that there is no clear "winner" - a project that will monetize Alaska's vast natural gas resources, provide natural gas for Alaska's in-state energy needs, or both.
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