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Progress

Progress Report

For many years, Alaskans have sought a pipeline that would make it possible to develop Alaska’s vast natural gas resources. Much work remains, but this goal is closer than ever before as the Alaska Pipeline Project progresses the technical, engineering, commercial, and regulatory work needed to make the project a reality. Project teams have conducted nearly one-half million hours of work to bring the Alaska Pipeline Project to where it is today.

2009-2010 Progress Check

  • Major North Slope producer ExxonMobil joined the TransCanada Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA) project in June 2009.
  • TransCanada and ExxonMobil established a joint Alaska Pipeline Project team that has capitalized on the strengths of both companies.
  • The Alaska Pipeline Project team has progressively advanced all aspects of the project’s development with initial planning studies for design, costs and schedule.
  • In-state gas study assessing the gas needs of Alaska homes and businesses has been completed.
  • TransCanada obtained full and final releases from former partners related to TransCanada’s prior work on the US portion of the Project (“Withdrawn Partners”).
  • Conducted the first open season process in the history of efforts to develop North Slope natural gas in 2010.
  • Expanding coordination with Alaska, U.S. and Canadian regulatory agencies to advance project permitting requirements.
  • Initiating extensive environmental, regulatory and land studies, as well as field work in both Alaska and Canada to support the permit review process.
  • Advancing communications and dialogue with key external stakeholders, including Alaska Native and Canadian First Nations and other aboriginal peoples.
  • Continuing the ongoing technical, engineering and design work.

Canadian NPA Certificate and Right of Way

TransCanada holds a certificate to build the Canadian portion of the project under the Northern Pipeline Act, similar to the certificate it is seeking from the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the U.S. portion of the project.  That means the project has secured the essential government permit for 60 percent of the total length of the pipeline route. TransCanada also has land rights covering a substantial portion of the Canada portion of the pipeline.  In addition, the project has opened discussions with stakeholders along the project corridor, including Alaska Native and Canadian First Nations and aboriginal communities.  A number of natural gas off-take connections would be available in Canada along the pipeline route.   

Withdrawn Partners

In 2009, AGIA licensee TransCanada cleared all remaining questions concerning any potential liability to the “Withdrawn Partners” related to prior work by TransCanada on the US portion of the pipeline.