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

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 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); ISSN XGPPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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