Offshore oil in the Alaskan Arctic

Journal Article · Fri Jul 27 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.225.4660.371· OSTI ID:6941160

Weeks, W F; Weller, G

Oil and gas deposits in the Alaskan Arctic are estimated to contain up to 40 percent of the remaining undiscovered crude oil and oil-equivalent natural gas within the US jurisdiction. Most (65 to 70 percent) of these estimated reserves are believed to occur offshore beneath the shallow, ice-covered seas of the Alaskan continental shelf. Offshore recovery operations for such areas are far from routine, with the primary problems associated with the presence of ice. Some problems that must be resolved if efficient, cost-effective, environmentally safe, year-round offshore production is to be achieved include the accurate estimation of ice forces on offshore structures, the proper placement of pipelines beneath ice-produced gouges in the sea floor, and the cleanup of oil spills in pack ice areas. 22 references, 7 figures.

• Research Organization: Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab., Hanover, NH
• OSTI ID: 6941160
• Journal Information: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States) Vol. 225:4660; ISSN SCIEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020100* -- Petroleum-- Reserves-- (-1989)
03 NATURAL GAS
030100 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves-- (-1989)
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
294002 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Petroleum
294003 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Natural Gas
ALASKA
FEDERAL REGION X
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NORTH AMERICA
OFFSHORE OPERATIONS
OFFSHORE SITES
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
RESOURCES
USA