BP SEES THE FUTURE

BP says transition from fossil fuels presents 'huge business opportunity'
Sept 18 2006 (AP via International Herald Tribune)
- Skeptics doubt that the U.S. should respond to global warming, but…BP is reacting the old fashion way — by looking to make money…

- "We think this is a huge business opportunity," said Charles A. Christopher, carbon dioxide program manager for BP in Houston.
- Energy can be provided in a way that is economically responsible and secure during the transition away from fossil fuels, Christopher said.
- "The transition will provide many business opportunities," he said. "A lot of people are going to make a lot of money during this transition and it won't be the same people that you're familiar with."
- A continuing ["Strengthening Our Cities] conference theme has been that cities can save money by cutting their greenhouse gas emissions. BP intends to take that a step further during the transition from a fossil fuel-driven system to alternatives…BP believes the risks from climate change are real and the science valid, Christopher said…

- The reduction of greenhouse gases is important but energy security could drive changes in the near future, he said. Alternatives to coal-generating power plants are more expensive, but that could change with a carbon dioxide tax…BP is creating a new businesses, he said. The company is the third largest producer of solar cells and plans to expand…
- "We're going to triple the amount of solar cells we produce in three years," he said.
- By 2008, BP will have two wind turbine farms and plans for more in Europe and the United States. BP also by that year will build the world's first two commercial plants generating electricity from hydrogen.
- "Our commitment is to show that the set of technologies being used are commercially available, can be used at scale and will produce pollution-free free electricity," he said…

About that Alaska pipeline thing, they're workin' on it:

BP seeks DOT nod to resume Prudhoe Bay production
September 15, 2006 (Oil and Gas Journal)
- BP PLC submitted an application Sept. 13 to the US Department of Transportation requesting authorization to resume production in the Eastern Operating Area (EOA) of Prudhoe Bay for the purposes of pigging.

- Although this is an encouraging development, it is the first step of many," BP said. 'Work continues on a number of bypass projects, and we expect these to be ready by the end of October. BP has also committed to completely replace 16 miles of Prudhoe Bay OTLs [oil transit lines] this winter."
- Meanwhile, Prudhoe Bay's production is up to about 250,000 b/d. Part of the field has been shut-down since early August because of severe corrosion problems discovered in OTLs...
- Inspection of the integrity of the oil transit lines in Prudhoe Bay continues to advance. BP has completed more than 6,662 ft (26%) of ultrasonic (UT) inspections in the EOA. The company excavated three caribou crossings and a number of culverts for additional Western Operating Area (WOA) inspections...
- "In both EOA and WOA inspections, our results continue to show no significant anomalies have been found, outside of those identified in the original pig run," the company said.