Real Progress
The Alaska Pipeline Project must complete numerous milestones in order to bring a completed project into operation. The project needs to fulfill regulatory requirements, acquire the right-of-way to put the pipeline in the ground, secure customers to ship gas and fill the pipeline, build the pipeline on time and on budget and operate it when completed. While the project is at an early stage of development, much has been accomplished and milestones are being progressively achieved.
Strong Alliance: The development of major natural gas pipelines - especially one of this magnitude - requires exceptional management expertise. TransCanada and ExxonMobil, with the support of the State of Alaska, form a powerful team. The implementation of the project under the AGIA process has built the synergistic alliance that offers the most efficient path for development of Alaska’s North Slope natural gas resources.
Regulatory Compliance: The Alaska Pipeline Project has steadily been meeting the schedule required by FERC and the AGIA process. The project conducted its first open season on schedule and is progressing the technical, environmental and regulatory work needed to file its permit applications with the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 2012.
Right of Way: TransCanada holds a construction certificate and has secured land rights from the Canadian government for a substantial portion of the pipeline included in the Canadian section of the pipeline corridor. That means the project has secured the essential government permit for approximately 60 percent of the total length of the pipeline route. This corridor has been secured by a treaty between Canada and the United States and supporting legislation to enable pipeline development. The project is also advancing discussions with stakeholders along the pipeline route, including Alaska Native and Canadian First Nations and other aboriginal groups.
Technical, Engineering, Project Planning: A team of approximately 130 experts from TransCanada and ExxonMobil, supported by world class contractors, completed the extensive engineering and commercial work necessary to conduct the project’s first open season. The engineering design includes facility specifications and construction plans, including infrastructure and logistics, along with cost and schedule estimates. The cost and schedule estimates, along with commercial terms, define the transportation tariffs. All these elements made up the package that was available for consideration by potential customers during the open season.
Customers: Alaska Pipeline Project commercial experts produced a balanced offering that was presented to potential shippers during the open season.