Coordinator for Alaskan Pipeline Project to Speak at Pipeline Opportunities Conference.

HOUSTON -- Drue Pearce, newly appointed federal coordinator for the Alaskan natural gas pipeline project, will be a featured speaker at the third annual Pipeline Opportunities Conference March 26 at the Hilton Americas in Houston.

Pearce will update the status of the long-awaited $24 billion pipeline that would transport natural gas from the north slope of Alaska into Alberta, Canada and possibly into the Chicago area. The pipeline will be controlled by a new company formed by the producers, ExxonMobil, BP and ConocoPhillips. Last year, the producers signed an historic agreement with then Alaskan Gov. Frank Murkowski, committing to build the pipeline, which has been called the largest private construction project in history.

However, Murkowski was voted out of office and new questions have arisen regarding the viability of the pipeline. Jeff Share, editor of Pipeline & Gas Journal, which is sponsoring the conference, said Pearce will provide the first significant update on the project in several years. He said she may also have some news on the proposed $7 billion Mackenzie Delta pipeline project, which would transport natural gas from the Northwest Territories of Canada.

"Pearce is the first person assigned to coordinate the Alaskan pipeline project for the federal government, which shows how interested Washington is in finally getting this vital project off the ground," Share said, adding that Pearce carries a reputation from Alaska as an accomplished lawmaker.

Pearce will be one of two keynote speakers at the conference. The other featured speaker will be James C. Yardley, president of El Paso Pipeline Group. He will open the conference with a talk on the challenges facing the pipeline industry. His brother, William Yardley, vice president of Northeast Transmission & Storage for Spectra Energy, will participate in a roundtable discussion of pipeline transmission executives.

Thirty speakers have signed up to appear at the conference, most of them representing pipelines with operations throughout the U.S. and Canada. In addition, experts from Wood Mackenzie Gas & Power will offer an exclusive Supply & Infrastructure Update.

Other sessions will focus on construction projects and issues facing the fast-growing midstream natural gas sector and the local distribution companies. Speakers will also discuss whether there is enough manpower and equipment available to meet the expected surge in work.

Sponsors include the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America; El Paso Corp., University of Houston Global Energy Management Institute; Quorum Business Solutions; SpectraSensors; Gulf Interstate Engineering; Business Wire; The Hall Group; URS; Telvent; Bayou Companies; Mears Group; and Beirne Maynard & Parsons.

Registrations are being accepted online at www.pgjonline.com or by calling Sheila Coats at 281-558-6930 x 210.