It is certainly strange but unfortunate for Alaskans because the difference is minute and the oil companies must be ecstatic.

I could not in good conscience make a decision about the oil taxes without knowing the gas pipeline terms that have been agreed between the producers and the administration.

But eventually it's a question of access: Getting access to fields is on top of the oil companies' agenda. We see a substantial build-up of supply occurring over the coming years.

a gift to the oil companies.

I think there's a point to regulating, because there are snake oil companies.

The issue is not the supply of crude oil. Where there is an issue is natural gas in the U.S.