NorthAmOil: ConocoPhillips, Alaska sue to block Biden Arctic plan

ConocoPhillips and the state of Alaska have sued to challenge federal regulations on oil and gas leasing in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A).

In April, the Biden administration announced that it will ban fresh oil and gas leasing across the NPR-A, encompassing 9.3mn hectares, in a bid to safeguard wildlife such as caribou and polar bears amid the Arctic's escalating temperatures.

The plan blocked development on 40% of the reserve, but existing oil and gas facilities and operations were not hampered.

"The new rules were passed without proper input from affected parties, exceeded their congressional authorisation and were rushed into place as an end-run on congressional oversight," said the state of Alaska in a statement.