New Alaska Gas Pipeline Office Opens.

• Position: Brief Article

A newly created Gas Pipeline Office has opened and begun the monumental task of processing right-of-way applications related to developing a natural gas pipeline project for the North Slope's 35 trillion cubic feet in known natural gas reserves.

The agency, an offshoot of Alaska's Joint State-Federal Pipeline Office, also has agreed to complete its review of previously filed right-of-way lease application for the construction and operation of the Alaska Highway Pipeline. The project's proponents, Foothills Pipe Lines Alaska Inc., on behalf of the Alaskan Northwest Natural Gas Transportation Co. partnership, has agreed to reimburse Alaska for application processing costs up to $1 million.

Bill Britt, Alaska's gas pipeline coordinator, said his...