Alaska’s 2025 oil and gas conference spotlights federal regulation battles and technological innovation
The Alaska Oil and Gas Association (AOGA) is set to host its 2025 annual conference in Anchorage from August 27-28, bringing together a significant gathering of national policymakers, state leaders, and top executives from the oil and gas sector. Recognised as Alaska’s premier energy policy event, the conference aims to foster high-level dialogue on the future of energy development, underlining the national importance of the state’s resource sector.
The agenda features a robust lineup, including House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman, who will deliver the opening keynote luncheon on Wednesday, alongside Alaska’s Congressman Nick Begich and other committee members. Later in the day, Senator Lisa Murkowski is scheduled to offer remarks via video, followed by a session with Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam, highlighting collaborative conservation efforts relevant to the industry. Central to the discussions will be the ongoing challenges surrounding federal permitting, a contentious yet critical issue for advancing projects in Alaska. This topic will be explored in a fireside chat between Emily Domench, executive director of the Federal Permitting Council, and Kati Capozzi from the Alaska Chamber. The day will conclude with a roundtable update on North Slope developments featuring executives from ConocoPhillips, Santos, and Hilcorp, three major players driving the region's energy projects.
Day two opens with a video address from Senator Dan Sullivan, followed by an economic overview from Katie Berry, president of McKinley Research Group, whose insights will provide context for the sector’s economic environment. A key theme this year is technological innovation in drilling, with a panel discussion led by engineers from ConocoPhillips, Santos, and Hilcorp focusing on advanced drilling technologies. Environmental and wildlife research also plays a significant role, with sessions dedicated to monitoring polar bear dens in Alaska, reflecting the industry's growing attention to environmental stewardship.
Industry recognition remains a highlight, with multiple awards celebrating leadership in safety, innovation, and environmental responsibility. Notably, the Marilyn Crockett Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Mark Ireland of Santos, acknowledging his substantial contributions to the sector. Additionally, Denali Universal Services will be honoured as Contractor of the Year for outstanding safety performance, a testament to decades of commitment to safe operations.
The conference’s second-day keynote lunch will feature Kate McGregor, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, in conversation with Santos executive Joe Balash, offering an important federal perspective on energy policies affecting Alaska. Governor Mike Dunleavy is also slated to speak, followed by a panel of state attorneys general, led by Alaska’s outgoing Attorney General Treg Taylor, addressing efforts to defend state authority against federal regulatory overreach—an issue critical to the state’s control over its resources.
Registration for the event is currently open, with a standard attendee fee of $500 covering all sessions, exhibit hall access, meals, and receptions. There is a discounted rate of $225 for government and education attendees, with early bird pricing available until the end of June 2025. The conference promises to be a vital forum for dialogue among policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders, driving forward discussions that will shape the future of Alaska’s oil and gas industry against a backdrop of economic, environmental, and technological challenges.