High-ranking officials with Alaska oil companies packed a House Resources Committee hearing Wednesday afternoon to testify on proposed changes to the state's oil tax, Alaska's Clear and Equitable Share (ACES).

The message was expected: If Alaska wants to increase oil exploration and production, the state should lower its taxes.

But the message was ripe with details missing so far in this year's oil tax debate. For one thing, a couple of young exploration companies without actual production said ACES is pretty good for them, as the state's tax credits end up compensating companies for millions sunk into drilling and studies.

Perhaps the most poignant testimony came from Mark Hanley, public affairs manager for Anadarko Petroleum and a former Alaska lawmaker.

Anadarko isn't one of the Slope's Big Three - Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips and BP - but is pretty large among the smaller field. The company has production through partnerships with ConocoPhillips in the Alpine field and NPR-A, but is also engaged in major exploration, and so feels the effects of ACES in both respects.

Hanley laid out the policy question lawmakers are grappling with as they contemplate offering companies a sweeter deal on oil taxes.

"Keep your eye on the problem," he said. "If you think you've got enough investment today, we don't need to be discussing this. But if you think you need more investment, I would suggest there's enough evidence ... just look how much do you need to offset the decline? And I don't see it on the horizon."

Part of the problem, he said, is that lawmakers have to acknowledge Alaska's tremendous challenges in light of other places in the world where companies can sink cash into fields and turn out profits within a year or two. In Alaska, Hanley said, simply learning enough about a find to decide to produce can take four years instead of one, and at double the costs.

The committee was taking testimony on bills by Gov. Sean Parnell and by Rep. Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, to offer a sweeter deal under ACES. The panel was to reconvene at 6 p.m. to finish up.