Alaska’s oil producers have run into permitting obstacles
Ups and downs in Alaska
Project-specific squabble and the Biden administration’s chillier attitude to oil and gas collide with high prices and oil supply security concerns
Alaska’s oil producers have seen some of the largest proposed projects run into obstacles, while more restrictive federal policy on new drilling has also created headwinds. But, at the same time, higher oil prices and keener appetite for non-Russian supplies should be expected to boost prospects for new production in the state. The path towards starting up major new oil projects is not proving straightforward. US superindie ConocoPhillips’ Willow, which is anticipated to produce over 160,000bl/d, is undergoing a new regulatory review. This comes after a federal judge voided the environmental approval for the project, located in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A), in August 2021. M
Also in this section
18 February 2026
With Texas LNG approaching financial close, Alaska LNG advancing towards a phased buildout and Magnolia LNG positioned for future optionality, Glenfarne CEO Brendan Duval says the coming year will demonstrate how the company’s more focused, owner-operator approach is reshaping LNG infrastructure development in the North America
18 February 2026
The global gas industry is no longer on the backfoot, hesitantly justifying the value of its product, but has greater confidence in gas remaining a core part of the global energy mix for decades
18 February 2026
With marketable supply unlikely to grow significantly and limited scope for pipeline imports, Brazil is expected to continue relying on LNG to cover supply shortfalls, Ieda Gomes, senior adviser of Brazilian thinktank FGV Energia,
tells Petroleum Economist
17 February 2026
The 25th WPC Energy Congress, taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 26–30 April 2026, will bring together leaders from the political, industrial, financial and technology sectors under the unifying theme “Pathways to an Energy Future for All”
