Calgary Herald, by James Wood.  As Canadian political and business leaders expressed optimism the proposed Keystone XL pipeline will win approval under a re-elected President Barack Obama, environmental opponents and the U.S. ambassador to Canada cautioned the energy megaproject isn’t a slam dunk.

Bill Barron, Oil and Gas, Alaska, Lease Sale, OCS, On shore, Photo by Dave HarbourADN?AP by Dan Joling.  The state of Alaska’s annual North Slope petroleum lease sale earned $14.2 million Wednesday.  That was down from $21 million last year, but Division of Oil and Gas Director Bill Barron (NGP Photo) saw reason for optimism. The sale was the fourth largest by dollar amount since the state began area-wide lease sales in 1998, covering tracts on the North Slope, in near-shore waters of the Beaufort Sea, and in the North Slope Foothills. The sale attracted interest from major oil companies, independents and new faces.   "Any activity, especially from the major players and some of the minor players, is good for the state," Barron said after opening bids.