‘The Undefeated’ Sneak Peek: Palin vs. ExxonMobil

Palin Admin. to Exxon: Drill Point Thompson or lose the lease
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John Nolte comments at Big Hollywood:

The hopelessly corrupt MSM is already starting to seed the narrative around this film with the nonsense that this is something Palin “commissioned,” which simply isn’t true. She reached out to documentary filmmaker Steve Bannon with the idea of producing some short films that would help to set the record straight with respect to her record as Alaska’s Governor. In response, he suggested a feature-length documentary that he would finance himself as long as he held complete editorial control. The Governor agreed, took her hands off the wheel and only helped him gain access when needed.

h/t for video: SarahNet

- JP

Gov. Palin Addresses Oil & Gas Luncheon

Governor Sarah Palin spoke today at the Point Thomson Appreciation Luncheon in Anchorage, thanking those who worked to get the first rig in place at the site on Alaska's North Slope so drilling could begin:

"This has at times been a tough process, but today, through collaborative efforts, we’ve seen progress and we’re drilling!" Governor Palin said. "And we’re protecting the environment through effective permitting and monitoring, ensuring safe operations for those at the drill site. And, bottom line: we’re making sure that our oil and gas resources are consistently developed according to the mandate of our constitution – for the maximum benefit of the people of Alaska."

According to the governor's office, Point Thomson reserves are estimated to include hundreds of millions of barrels of oil and over 8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. It is considered to have the largest untapped onshore reserves of oil and gas in North America.

Gov. Palin expressed her appreciation for the jobs created by the project:

"To me, there’s nothing better than when our efforts lead to jobs created by responsible development and collaborative partnership – there’s no better result than Alaskans and Alaska businesses going to work! I know Alaskans join me in that appreciation."

The governor noted that the oil industry has committed to produce oil from the two Point Thompson leases by 2014 and said that the design work and permitting for the infrastructure needed to move oil from the leases to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline was only in the beginning phases. She said that the continuing effort will mean many more jobs for Alaskans for years to come.

h/t: Governor Palin 4 President

- JP

Exxon Mobil begins drilling at Point Thomson

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin announced today that ExxonMobil has begun drilling operations at Point Thomson.

The company started gearing up for drilling operations at the Point Thomson oil and gas reservoir last month. ExxonMobil Production Company mobilized the drilling rig for the Point Thomson Project April 22. Because there are no permanent roads to Point Thomson, over 30 miles of ice road along the Beaufort Sea shoreline had to be constructed to enable the transport of heavy equipment and materials while still protecting the North Slope environment.

Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Irwin had authorized the ice-road permits in January, allowing mobilization of the drilling rig and guiding other regulatory agencies to expedite permitting to allow drilling to begin.

According to industry journal Rigzone:

The initial phase of the project will process approximately 200 million cubic feet per day of Point Thomson gas in order to produce approximately 10,000 barrels per day of liquid condensate into the Trans Alaska Pipeline System by year end 2014. The remaining gas will then be recycled into the Point Thomson reservoir. The Point Thomson Unit working interest owners committed $120 million to the drilling and development activities in 2008, with additional investments of about $250 million expected in 2009.

Gov. Palin today said that she was pleased with ExxonMobil's progress:

"Today's action shows that our perseverance is paying off. We congratulate ExxonMobil on their successful efforts, and commend them for fulfilling their recent commitments to the state."

Commissioner Irwin also hailed the oil giant's commencement of drilling activities:

"Today's action by ExxonMobil is an important milestone in the continuing effort to see production of our state resources at Point Thomson."

- JP