Willow project holds state future

Let’s hope the bureaucrats and oil executives sort out the problems in developing the ConocoPhillips Willow prospect in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.

Last week federal District Court Judge Sharon Gleason reversed approvals given by both the Trump and Biden administrations for moving ahead with development. But right now the Willow prospect is really the only thing Alaska has going for it in the oil and gas development sector.

Failure to resolve the problems could leave Alaska’s prospects for a viable economy in a squeaky high and dry position.

Judge Gleason ruled that approvals by the two administrations was inappropriate and needed to be reversed for lack of consideration of greenhouse gas impacts. Those and other nasty side-effects from development will apparently make the Willow project too harmful to be allowed to proceed — at least until the problems can be resolved..

The world has changed a lot in recent years and worries about greenhouse gases are just a few of the new concerns that must be accommodated. Greenhouse gas problems have been there all along and human activities have exacerbated them, but the time has come to face up to our responsibilities. We can do it and we will.

Alaska very much needs to have the Willow prospect move forward with development. We still have a lot of oil and gas to be developed, but modern worries about things like greenhouse gases are putting new hurdles in the way. These are problems that must be resolved in order for our state to achieve its still-growing potential.

The experts say that Willow could produce something like 160,000 barrels of oil per day, about a third of our current production. That would represent a major improvement in this state’s oil output, generating new billions in revenues and thousands of much-needed jobs.

Greenhouse gases are a valid worry with oil and gas development projects. The problem has always been there but has only been fully appreciated in recent years

Willow is an important discovery announced in 2017 in the northeast segment of NPRA. Its value is well understood and appreciated by state leaders like Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who is leading the charge for development. If the necessary permits can be obtained, first production is expected in three to four years.

The Alaskans who were directly involved in development of the Prudhoe Bay Field, Kuparuk and the other early North Slope fields are generally thrilled at revival of Alaska’s oil prospects with Willow.Those were great times in this state and things will undoubtedly be quite different this time around, but it is encouraging to see new jobs and opportunities returning once again.

ConocoPhillips is a direct descendant of the companies that developed Prudhoe Bay and it will be enjoyable to watch it convert Alaska assets into revenues and jobs. It is encouraging to see that the future has much to offer and the challenge is being met by those with the abilities to meet the needs.

Alaska is rich in resources and fortunately has the capability to develop them in the best interest of its people.

Tom Brennan is an Anchorage columnist and author of six books. He was a reporter/columnist for The Anchorage Times and an editor and columnist at The Voice of The Times.