From Elizabeth Bluemink –

Both of the companies competing to build a gas line from Alaska’s North Slope to Lower 48 markets have fallen behind on their self-imposed deadlines to sign agreements with potential gas shippers.

TransCanada had planned to announce its signed agreements by Dec. 31. The Denali project, headed up by BP and Conoco Phillips, had planned to sign agreements by Feb. 1 Both deadlines passed without an announcement from the companies.

“Both companies state that they are continuing commercial discussions with potential shippers and are working to resolve conditions on the bids,” according to a status report from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission submitted to Congress on Thursday.