Wednesday, June 19, 2013
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Feds Reverse Decision on Construction of NPR-A Bridge/Pipeline
ConocoPhillips' CD-5 project gets initial go-ahead to link to production facilities
By Bill McAllister
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In a reversal of fortune, ConocoPhillips now is poised to begin the first oil and gas production from the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska.
An agreement announced today between the EPA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to result in a permit for construction of a bridge across the Colville River, linking the so-called CD-5 oil and gas development project with Conoco’s production facilities at the Alpine Field.
The federal agencies had been under intense pressure from Alaska’s congressional delegation and state administration to reverse last year’s decision by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deny a permit for the bridge.
“While we’re not over the finish line yet, we’re extraordinarily close, and I think we will get the final go-ahead within these next coming weeks, hopefully by Christmas, or to ring in the new year,” Senator Lisa Murkowski said in a phone interview Monday.
In a written statement, Conoco called today’s announcement a positive step, but withheld further comment, pending the release of conditions that will be attached to the permit.
