The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday, Jan. 24, edition that U.S. oil and gas companies are unlikely to expand in Alaska and the Arctic despite President Trump's executive order allowing it, as a future president could easily reverse the decision. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe reports that with U.S. oil production at record levels, primarily from areas like Texas and New Mexico, companies are focusing on returning cash to shareholders rather than new projects. Analysts suggest that drillers may not rush to take advantage of Mr. Trump's order titled "Unleashing Alaska's extraordinary resource potential," which aims to reopen areas for drilling and expedite project permits, reversing Joe Biden's renewable energy policies. "Many of these areas have been closed for a good long while," says Dustin Meyers, senior vice-president of policy at the American Petroleum Institute, a trade organization that represents major energy firms including Exxon Mobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Enbridge, Ovintiv and TC Energy. An unnamed source says many oil companies are unlikely to pursue projects in Alaska based on Mr. Trump's executive order alone, seeking long-term certainty like an act of Congress.
© 2025 Canjex Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.