Domenici calls hearing on BP Prudhoe Bay troubles

US Congress has scheduled a second hearing to discuss BP PLC's pipeline problems on Alaska's North Slope.

Aug. 17, 2006

Nick Snow
Washington Correspondent

WASHINGTON, DC, Aug. 17 -- US Congress has scheduled a second hearing to discuss BP PLC's pipeline problems on Alaska's North Slope.

On Sept. 12 the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will examine the impact of the shutdown on US supplies as well as the steps that may be taken to prevent the event's recurrence, Chairman Pete V. Domenici (R-NM) said Aug. 17.

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton (R-Tex.) previously scheduled a similar hearing for Sept. 7.

Domenici said: "I am very concerned about the impact of BP's problems on our domestic oil supply. I am pleased that BP plans to maintain production on the western side of the Prudhoe Bay oil field, but US production may still be down 200,000 b/d for a year or more because of this situation. I am particularly worried about what the loss of this oil will mean if the nation faces another difficult hurricane season or a harsh winter."

Witnesses for each hearing will be announced later, both committees said.

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