Companies file application to export liquefied natural gas from Alaska

The companies pursuing a major liquefied natural gas project in Alaska have applied for an export license with the U.S. Department of Energy.

The application requests authorization to export up to 20 million metric tons of liquefied natural gas a year for 30 years.

Participants in the project include BP, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil Corp., TransCanada Corp. and the Alaska Gasline Development Corp., or AGDC.

TransCanada owns the state's interest in the pipeline and gas treatment plant, with the state having an option to buy some of that back as the project progresses. AGDC holds the state's interests in liquefaction facilities.