Developers submit export application for Alaska LNG Project

Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC), BP, ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips and TransCanada have submitted an application to the US Department of Energy seeking approval to export 20 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) a year for 30 years from the Alaska LNG Project.

The project includes construction of a gas treatment plant at Prudhoe Bay to eliminate carbon dioxide and other impurities from produced gas. Plans also include a 58-mile pipeline from Point Thomson gas field to Prudhoe Bay and 800-mile pipeline from Prudhoe Bay to Nikiski. A LNG plant, storage and tanker terminal will also be built at Nikiski.

Alaska LNG Project senior project manager Steve Butt said: "This is a significant milestone for the Alaska LNG Project and demonstrates continued progress toward developing Alaska’s resources. Filing of an export application is a critical step in commercialising North Slope natural gas."

The project is currently in the pre-front-end engineering and design phase, which is anticipated to be completed in 2016.

It is expected to provide significant economic benefits to Alaskans, including state revenues, new job opportunities and access to domestically produced natural gas for homes and businesses in the region.