Using Project Management to Align External Stakeholders During Exploratory Well Permitting in State Leases on the North Slope

Abstract

Natural resource extraction projects can have a polarizing effect on stakeholders. Oil and gas projects that take place on the North Slope of Alaska are no exception. Not taking the time to build long term relationships with important stakeholders, and collaborate with them, throughout the project can amplify this problem and create many more. This project was designed to research if, and if so how, alignment of external stakeholders is planned for. Past project plans were examined to extract lessons learned and best practices. A literature review was conducted to find other improvement ideas. Project management tools and techniques were gleaned and recommendations have been made on ways to align external stakeholders during the exploratory well permitting process.