ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Chevron to Pay $87.7 Million in Tax Deal: Chevron USA Inc. has agreed to pay the sum to the state of Alaska to settle a longstanding dispute over proper payments for state-owned oil and royalties for North Slope oil and gas, Alaska officials said. The disputes involve production and purchases dating from 1977, when oil began flowing through the trans-Alaska pipeline, to the present, Alaska Deputy Atty. Gen. Bruce Botelho said. Most of the payment covers the state’s royalty-in-kind claim, which alleges Chevron paid too little for state-owned oil refined in Alaska. San Francisco-based Chevron has already paid $47.3 million for outstanding royalty charges, state officials said.