State refuses to let Exxon build ice road

The state has rejected a request by Exxon Mobil Corp. to build an ice road in a North Slope natural gas field whose lease ownership is in dispute.

The state has tried to strip Exxon and partners of leases held by Exxon since 1977, saying the area known as Point Thomson was never developed.

"Despite the fact that the leases expired in August 2008, (Exxon Mobil) applied for permission to construct an ice road to transport a drilling rig onto the expired lease to drill for oil and gas," the Alaska Department of Natural Resources said in a statement released Friday.