oil and gas

This year, presenters highlighted mariculture, workforce development and healthcare. But one topic rose above the rest: energy. Where to find it, how we use it and ways to get more of it.

That’s as the board of the state-run Alaska Gasline Development Corp. gave its president permission to sign an agreement with Houston- and New York-based pipeline developer Glenfarne to shepherd the $44 billion Alaska LNG Project to a final investment decision.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said Alaska gas is conveniently located and a source of high-quality natural gas.

He says natural gas imports could meet short-term needs while work on the Alaska LNG Project continues.

Different versions of the Alaska LNG project have been discussed in Alaska for decades, and there are longstanding questions about how it would pencil out.

Frank Richards is the president of the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation. The state agency is spearheading work on the $44 billion project, which would move natural gas from the North Slope through an 800-mile pipeline to Nikiski.

John Sims, Peter Micciche and Rob Montgomery join us to talk about the natural gas crisis in Cook Inlet.

It isn’t the first time the U.S. has announced project progress through an agreement with another country.

Harvest Alaska, a subsidiary of Hilcorp Alaska LLC, announced on Thursday its plans to acquire and redevelop the facility.

Within hours of returning to the country’s highest office Monday, President Donald Trump formalized his support for the $44 billion Alaska LNG Project.