Geologic framework, petroleum potential, and environmental geology of the United States Beaufort and northeasternmost Chukchi Seas

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · United States Geological Survey, Professional Paper; (USA)

OSTI ID:6844178

Grantz, A; May, S D; Dinter, D A

The Beaufort and northeasternmost Chukchi Seas offer petroleum explorationists a promising terrane for medium to giant oil and gas accumulations, but the area is the most environmentally difficult region for petroleum exploration and development in the Nation. The region lies adjacent to the North Slope of Alaska, which is served by the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS), a common carrier that would provide an outlet for oil brought to its northern terminus near Prudhoe Bay. If the proposed Alaska Natural Gas Transportation System is also built, its pipeline and terminus near Prudhoe Bay would provide the means for carrying offshore natural gas to market. The feasibility of economically transporting large volumes of oil or gas by tanker year-round from the Beaufort Sea to markets in the conterminous United States has yet to be demonstrated. This chapter gives an overview of the geologic framework, petroleum potential, and environmental geology of the Alaskan Beaufort and northeasternmost Chukchi Seas. The principal data base consists of the multichannel seismic-reflection profiles and accompanying high-resolution profiles shown in figure 11.1 and some additional single-channel seismic-reflection profiles, sonobuoy refraction measurements, seabed samples, and bathymetric data. The study area includes the entire Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea and most of the OCS in the northeastern Chukchi Sea. Most of the continental shelf north of Alaska consists of areas shallower than 60 m (200 ft), where the national petroleum Council considers that the petroleum industry can now confidently proceed with operations. Sea-ice conditions in this area during late September, the usual period of maximum retreat, are shown. The base maps in this report use the conformal polar stereographic projection.

• OSTI ID: 6844178
• Journal Information: United States Geological Survey, Professional Paper; (USA), Journal Name: United States Geological Survey, Professional Paper; (USA)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
ALASKA
STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE
BEAUFORT SEA
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
CHUKCHI SEA
GEOLOGY
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
BATHYMETRY
CLIMATES
CONTINENTAL SHELF
DRILL CORES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
GEOLOGIC STRATA
NATURAL GAS
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
SEA BED
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SEISMIC SURVEYS
STRATIGRAPHY
THICKNESS
US GS
ARCTIC OCEAN
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
DIMENSIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
FEDERAL REGION X
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
RESERVES
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
SURVEYS
US DOI
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration