Inside Alaska Business
DNR
Alaska will bring its oil and gas leasing processes into the 21st century under new regulations that allow for online lease applications, bids, and lease payments. Currently, those bidding on the rights to explore, develop, and produce oil and gas on Alaska state land must submit bids on paper in submissions matched with a bid deposit, sealed by the bidder, delivered to the Division, and opened in public, in a system that is virtually unchanged since Statehood.

Online bidding will increase security and reduce time and expense, as bidders will no longer have to prepare paper bids, obtain certified checks for bid deposits, and ensure delivery to the Division office in Anchorage.
dnr.alaska.gov

Workspace Alaska
In December, Wasilla’s first co-working office space opened on East Paulson Avenue. Owner Amber Lanphier’s goal is to create inspiring workspaces at an affordable rate for creative and service-based professionals. This initial space is 900 square feet featuring natural light and “beautiful, contemporary, and versatile furnishings,” in addition to other modern conveniences.
workspacealaska.com
Gondwana Ecotours
Gondwana Ecotours
Gondwana Ecotours and local partners Fred & Janet Vreeman purchased the 8,600-square-foot Alaska Grizzly Lodge in Fairbanks. The new owners plan to renovate all the rooms, add ramps and lifts, and expand the Northern Lights viewing area. Alaska Grizzly Lodge features fourteen rooms with access to private or shared aurora viewing decks. Trails for snowshoeing, hiking, or skiing are easily accessed from the lodge and Gondwana Ecotours plans to expand on-site activity options for tour groups.
gondwanaecotours.com
AIDEA

The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) Board approved a dividend of $14,475,000 to the state general fund for Fiscal Year 2021. The Board determines the amount of AIDEA’s annual dividend that is made available to the Legislature for appropriation. Alaska Statute provides a range for the dividend calculation, and the Board chose to pay the FY2021 dividend at the maximum amount.

Since the dividend program’s inception, AIDEA has declared more than $422 million to the state, including the $14.475 million approved for FY2021.
aidea.org

TAPS
The 18 billionth barrel of Alaska North Slope crude started down the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) from Pump Station 1 in Prudhoe Bay at 8 a.m., December 6, 2019.

“This marks another significant operational milestone for TAPS, for Alaska and Alaskans, for the oil and gas industry, and countless individuals whose work carries on the remarkable legacy of this unique infrastructure,” said Tom Barrett, then-president of Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, TAPS’ operator. “This milestone brings justifiable TAPS Pride among the smart, tough people at Alyeska Pipeline and our contractors who run TAPS safely every day.”
alyeska-pipe.com

City and Borough of Sitka

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), a charitable organization focused on health, announced the five communities—including Sitka—chosen to receive the 2019 RWJF Culture of Health Prize, which includes $25,000. Sitka is the first Alaska community ever to win the award, which honors and elevates communities at the forefront of advancing health, opportunity, and equity for all.
cityofsitka.com

ConocoPhillips Alaska
ConocoPhillips plans to sell parts of its Alaska projects, including old, new, and unbuilt projects representing most of Conoco’s Alaska holdings. The assets for sale include interest in the Kuparuk River unit, the newer Alpine unit to the west, and the undeveloped Willow project in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. The sale does not include the company’s 36 percent share of Prudhoe Bay.
alaska.conocophillips.com
Doyon | Hilcorp
Doyon entered an agreement with Hilcorp for renewed oil and gas exploration in a portion of the Yukon Flats. The agreement covers 1.6 million acres of Doyon-owned mineral rights in the Yukon Flats subregion where Doyon has a long-held interest in the oil and gas potential of the area. The agreement with Hilcorp includes an initial airborne gravity survey of the region followed by the opportunity for further exploration in the form of seismic and drilling programs. The initial focus of exploration is in the Birch Creek area.

The agreement is designed to provide maximum participation from the village corporation to provide economic benefits to the area. Doyon has also signed a cooperation agreement with Tihteeť Aii, Village Corporation for Birch Creek, regarding a joint pursuit of service contracts and shareholder training and hire.
doyon.com | hilcorp.com

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