The fields have decades more life left in them albeit at reduced production rates. Leaving the gas to maximize oil output and looking at bring the gas to market in 10-20 years seems like the better option.
The economics of a gas line today just don't pencil out. Converting the gas to NGL and shipping down TAPS would seem like a potentially better option but I haven't heard any numbers on whether or not such an option is fiscally viable.
It probably pencils out if one is running for re-election as guv.
