Excitement around Arctic development has been fully reinvigorated with recent developments in northern infrastructure projects that will facilitate northern oil & gas development. After surpassing the huge milestones of National Energy Board (NEB) and federal cabinet approval, the Mackenzie Gas Project is closer to being realized than ever before! In addition to this, in March 2011, the federal government pledged $150 million towards building an Arctic highway between Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk.

Here’s a highlight of the sessions at this year's Arctic Oil & Gas Symposium that are focused on giving you the infrastructure and pipeline project updates you need to prepare a solid Arctic business strategy and capitalize on the upcoming opportunities.

Keynote Address

Mackenzie Gas Project: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

• Where does the MGP stand today?
  • Exploring progress made
  • Estimated timelines for project costs, start and completion
• Understanding the history and significance of Aboriginal participation
• Exploring the current project challenges
• What is required for the project to move forward?
• Realizing the significant benefits the project will provide to the North
• What is the anticipated lifespan of an Arctic gas pipeline?

Infrastructure Developments in the Mackenzie Valley Development Corridor

• • Examining project specs for the all-weather road:
  • Physical: length of road, number of bridges required etc.
  • Estimated timelines for project costs, start and completion
  • Exploring progress made
  • Estimated timelines for project costs, start and completion
• Progress report on the Mackenzie Valley Fiber Optics Link Project
  • Examining project details – location, cost
  • Status and next steps
• Understanding how stakeholders were engaged right from the start
• What do these projects mean to the North?
• How do these projects compliment an Arctic gas pipeline?

Alaska Oil & Gas Opportunities, Challenges and Progress

• Alaska Gas Pipeline status and future plans
• What other natural gas transportation projects are currently proposed and which projects seem likely to proceed?
• What does the decreasing flow through the Trans Alaska Pipeline System mean for the rest of the world?
• North Slope update: what is the level and extent of current activity?
  • - What are the opportunities?
• Where are the emerging areas of interest or renewed interest in Alaska?
  • What type of resource potential do these areas hold?
• What are Shell’s plans in Alaska’s offshore?
  • Which parts of their plans have been approved?
• Examining Alaska’s biggest impediment to new oil and gas development