November 2008 Vol. 235 No. 11

Projects

Russian Gas Executives Make Visit To Alaska

The New York Times reported on Oct. 15 that a high-level delegation from Gazprom met in Anchorage with state officials to discuss investments in energy projects.

The meeting came months after Gazprom officials stated they wanted to join a consortium that is building a natural gas pipeline from Alaska to Canada. The company is also interested in investing in other energy initiatives in the state, according to a statement from Gazprom.

“Gazprom has accumulated great experience in exploring hydrocarbon deposits, building and using gas pipelines in the far north environment,” the company said in the statement. “Gazprom’s experience will be relevant in realization of similar projects in Alaska.”

The delegation in Anchorage included close associates of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, including Gazprom’s chief executive, Aleksei Miller and Aleksandr Golubyev, a deputy director who, like Putin, is a veteran of the KGB. The Times said the delegation met with Tom Irwin, commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, and with James Mulva, CEO of ConocoPhillips.