Alaska LNG Summit to Be Held in Valdez

Liquefied natural gas is increasingly becoming a reality as evidenced by multiple applications to export LNG from the U S Gulf Coast.

In early July, the Alaska Gasline Port Authority (AGPA) filed an application with the U S Department of Energy to export LNG from an LNG terminal to be located in Valdez, Alaska. Bill Walker, counsel for AGPA believes the Valdez application will be approved in the near future and said the City of Valdez is moving forward to educate and investigate the potential of natural gas at the Alaska LNG Summit slated for September 13th and 14th in Valdez.

A host of industry professionals will converge on the small coastal deep water port town of Valdez to see the existing oil terminal, meet key industry players and discuss the potential of Alaska LNG. Martin Hruska, Director Upstream Development for Excelerate Energy, will sit on a panel to explore Future Infrastructure Needs and Investment Opportunities. Hruska said, “We see great potential for the LNG export market in the United States. My presentation will demonstrate how Alaska can monetize its vast natural gas resources utilizing Excelerate’s Floating Liquefaction Storage and Offloading (FLSO) vessel technology, similar to the Lavaca Bay LNG project currently underway in Texas, providing a timely and cost effective solution”.

The option of Hawaii purchasing LNG from Alaska is a hot topic and the City of Valdez has received confirmation from Barbara Laflin Treat, Program Manager from the Hawaii Gas LNG Program, who will speak about the importance of bringing LNG to Hawaii. She will also explain how high oil prices are impacting Hawaii.

Congressman Don Young and Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Mark Begich will each deliver an address from Washington DC. One of the anticipated highlights of the Summit will be the panel discussion on global gas market transformation. A panel including President of Sempra LNG Octavio M.C. Simoes and former Director of the U.S. Geological Survey Mark Myers will focus on where Alaska fits in the global LNG supply picture. The discussion is expected to include discussion on: LNG economics; global demand; comparison of Valdez LNG to Japan’s gas supply alternatives; low gas prices and declining import needs of the Lower 48.

The Alaska LNG Summit will bring legislators and regulatory decision makers, Asian buyers, including Mitsui and Jogmec, and US industry players together and provide many opportunities for discussion and networking outside the formal presentations.

In addition to speakers and panel discussions, the Summit will provide an opportunity for participants to view the existing Valdez Alyeska Marine Oil Terminal aboard a Stan Stephens ship, hence combining site visit and a truly unique networking opportunity in Valdez. They will also be able to view the previously FERC permitted LNG terminal site at Anderson Bay.

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LNG World News Staff, September 12, 2012; Image: Alaska LNG Summit