US BLM issues final plan for oil, gas leasing in Alaskan reserve

Washington (Platts)--11Jan2006

The US Bureau of Land Management Wednesday released a long-delayed final
plan for new oil and natural gas leasing in the northeast portion of the
National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska and imposed new restrictions on
development of the area. 

     The agency in June 2004 issued a draft version of the plan to govern
leasing, exploration and development of the 4.6-mil-acre area of Alaska's
North Slope in June 2004, and initially hoped to release a "record of
decision" the following November. But finalizing the plan was delayed
as the agency attempted to work out a compromise with environmentalists and
local communities concerned that opening new portions of the area to
development could harm caribou, geese and other wildlife species. 

     The final document includes a number of new restrictions BLM hopes will
"benefit subsistence users and wildlife values in the northeast planning
area," Henri Bisson, director of BLM's state office in Alaska, said in a
statement. 

     An area protecting molting geese protection area was expanded from
217,000 to 242,000 acres; and two areas protecting caribou were enlarged by
9,700 acres and 47,000 acres, respectively. Representatives from several
environmental groups and North Slope Borough, which adjoins the reserve, could
not be reached immediately on whether the new restrictions satisfied their
concerns. 

     Judy Brady, executive director of the Alaska Oil and Gas Assn, said that
based on a quick read of the ROD she had some concerns about its cordoning off
additional acreage around Teshekpuk Lake, where historically a significant
portion of the resources have been found. But she added that she believes that
after "further studies" that show industry and wildlife can co-exist in the
area, BLM may loosen some of the restrictions around the lake.

             ---Matt Spangler, matt_spangler@platts.com

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