Alaska would own 20 percent of a $20 billion proposed natural-gas pipeline that would deliver Arctic gas reserves to the contiguous 48 American states, where demand for gas is increasing.
Alaska would also own 20 percent of any natural-gas-liquids-extraction plant built in the state by BP Plc, Exxon Mobil Corp. and ConocoPhillips, according to a copy of a proposed 35-year contract posted Wednesday on the government’s website. Alaska won’t impose any new taxes or change existing ones that apply to the producers’ oil and gas operations in the state, according to the document.
Gov. Frank Murkowski signed the contract with the three oil producers in February to spur the development of 35 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves on Alaska’s North Slope.
Sen. Hollis French, a Democrat from Anchorage, filed a court injunction in Juneau Superior Court on April 21 to gain access to the contract, the Associated Press reported.
