Governor Bill Walker signed into law Senate Bill 30, which is expected to generate between $22 million and $27 million in revenue to the state.
The legislation, which the governor introduced, approves a four-year contract in which the State of Alaska will sell royalty oil to Petro Star.
“With the decline of oil prices and production, it takes creative, out-of-the box thinking and teamwork to generate revenue,” Governor Walker said.
“Because jobs in Alaska should go to Alaskans, my bill includes a local-hire provision. I thank Petro Star and Arctic Slope Regional Corporation for teaming up with the state so that our resources can put the maximum number of Alaskans to work. I also thank Senator Cathy Giessel and Representatives Geran Tarr and Andy Josephson for their support of this bill.”
The contract, which runs until December 2021, will see the state selling royalty oil to Petro Star at rate:
• 16,400 to 20,500 barrels per day in 2018
• 13,200 to 16,500 barrels per day in 2019
• 10,800 to 13,500 barrels per day in 2020
• 8,400 to 10,500 barrels per day in 2021
Petro Star chief executive Doug Chapados said: “This legislation is the result of the joint efforts by Petro Star Inc., ASRC and the State of Alaska, ensuring an RIK crude supply even during declining TAPS throughput.
“Not only does this ensure a diverse and stable crude supply for the future, it also has the potential to generate tens of millions of additional dollars for the state over the next five years. I would like to thank state lawmakers as well as the governor for moving SB 30 forward.”
Petro Star, which is an Arctic Slope Regional Corporation subsidiary, operates refineries in North Pole and Valdez.