State officials brief Senate on North Slope road-access dispute after judge vacated Santos permit

Senator Giesel (Chair of the Senate Resources Committee) opened the Jan. 31 committee meeting by asking the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Law to explain the state's defense and next steps after a Superior Court judge vacated a land-use permit that had allowed Santos (formerly Oil Search) to use existing roads across the Kuparuk River Unit, operated by ConocoPhillips.

The summary of why this matters: the permit at issue — Miscellaneous Land Use Permit North Slope 22-001 — would have authorized year‑round access for Santos across overlaid gravel roads that ConocoPhillips built and maintains. The Superior Court vacated the permit on Nov. 27, 2024, and the state has appealed to the Alaska Supreme Court; briefing has not yet begun. Department officials told the committee the litigation is pending and that some public and private negotiations over access and fees are ongoing.

“Obviously, this matter is pending appeal in the Supreme Court, so there will be limitations,” Deputy Commissioner John Crowther told the committee, adding the administration must balance protecting the state’s litigation position with minimizing any disruption to construction or operations on the North Slope. He said the state’s “most critical near term interest is that this busy winter season…