Petroleum News by Kristen Nelson.  Alaska North Slope crude oil production dropped below 500,000 barrels per day in June, averaging 497,582 bpd, down 6.95 percent, from a May average of 534,741 bpd, while much smaller Cook Inlet production volumes saw a 5.4 percent increase to 13,571 bpd in May over April.

Note: Legislators have given Cook Inlet Producers favorable tax incentives for several years–resulting in more exploration and infrastructure investment.  North Slope producers have been given punishing taxes until this Spring when the legislature enacted tax reform.  However, that reform — and the rejuvinated exploration that could materialize from it — remains caught under a cloud of uncertainty caused by those now seeking to repeal the law via referendum.  -dh