Resolution to Expedite Point Thomson Appeal Progresses
SCR 3 moves from Senate Judiciary Committee

Juneau -  A resolution asking the governor and attorney general to allocate adequate resources and take all steps necessary to expedite the court’s consideration of ExxonMobil’s Point Thomson appeal advanced to the Senate Rules Committee today.

SCR 3 moved from the Senate Judiciary Committee today after the committee modified the language to clarify that resolving the issue out of court is acceptable and encouraged, a change supported by resolution sponsor Sen. Gene Therriault, R-North Pole.

“It was never my intention to indicate that the Legislature was itching for a court battle over Point Thomson. We are most interested in getting the area into development and production for the benefit of the state’s citizens,” Therriault said.

ExxonMobil is appealing the final decision by the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources to deny ExxonMobil’s proposed plan to develop the Point Thomson Unit and to terminate the Point Thomson unit.

On October 27, 2005, the director of the State Division of Oil and Gas rejected the Twenty-second plan of development from operator ExxonMobil Production, and found the Point Thomson unit in default for lack of an approved plan of development. On November 27, 2006, the commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources terminated the unit.

ExxonMobil, as the operator of the unit and as a lessee, along with BP Exploration, Chevron U.S.A. and ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc., are appealing

the commissioner’s November 27, 2006 decision and the December 27, 2006 denial of reconsideration to Superior Court.

SCR 3 is co-sponsored by senators Tom Wagoner, Gary Wilken and Fred Dyson, all members of the Senate Republican Caucus.