ConocoPhillips (COP) is shipping a cargo of Alaska North Slope crude to Asia, making rare use of a Bill Clinton-era exemption to U.S. oil export restrictions. Conoco, Alaska’s largest oil producer, will deliver the cargo to Asia in the fourth quarter, Houston-based company spokesman Daren Beaudo said by e-mail. The shipment was first reported by Louisville, Kentucky-based Genscape Inc., an energy intelligence firm. The Polar Discovery, a 140,000-deadweight ton oil tanker, left the oil port of Valdez in Alaska on Sept. 26 after filling with cargo, according to vessel tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. The ship reported today that its destination is Yeosu, South Korea. It’s scheduled to arrive Oct. 10. “ConocoPhillips has the capability to export a limited amount of its Alaska North Slope (ANS) crude oil production to non-U.S. customers as allowed by law,” Beaudo said. “This will enable the state of Alaska and ConocoPhillips to potentially […]