Top Alaska business stories of 2012: old standbys, fresh startups and amazing stories.

• Author: Gallion, Mari
• Position: ALASKA

2012 was a year of great progress for Alaska that included inceptions, heroic feats and wild successes, as well as the long-anticipated completion of projects of colossal scope and expense.

As always, the biggest news for 2012 was in the oil and gas industry with exploratory drilling, permitting, big contracts and a major gas storage facility coming on-line.

Meanwhile, Alaska Native Corporations, the fishing industry, telecommunications and film continued to hold their traditionally high places in Alaska industry.

However, 2012 also saw the introduction of some new stars walking the Alaska red carpet: wind energy, the 49th State Angel Fund, and a daring collaboration between 22 agencies and offices at the federal, state, regional and local levels to bring relief to an isolated community in a time of need.

In accordance with the Mayan predictions of endings, beginnings and natural disasters, in 2012 Alaska industry saw the kind of stuff movies are made of.

Oil & Gas: Progress and Contracts

Following several weeks of safe, successful drilling at Shell's offshore Alaska prospects, Shell concluded its 2012 exploratory drilling programs in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas on Oct 31.

The mandatory close of the offshore Alaska drilling window brings to an end a season in which Shell demonstrated their ability to drill safely and responsibly in the Arctic. The work accomplished in drilling the top portions of the Burger-A well in the Chukchi Sea and the Sivulliq well in the Beaufort Sea will go a long way in positioning Shell for another successful drilling program in 2013.

In support of 2012 drilling, Shell deployed numerous assets and rotated thousands of employees to the Arctic, continuing along history of safe Arctic operations. Shell will pick up where they left off when the sea ice retreats next summer.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued a record of decision and Section 404 wetlands permit needed for the Point Thomson Project, a massive North Slope liquid condensate project led by ExxonMobil Corp., to begin construction this winter.

The Point Thomson Project is a strategic investment for the state because it will increase the flow of hydrocarbons through the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System and open the eastern North Slope to new hydrocarbon exploration, development and production with a 70,000-barrel-per-day common-carrier pipeline. This project is expected to create hundreds of jobs throughout the state and more than 1,000 jobs at peak...