5.2 — ALASKA 



Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) petroleum development is an issue of 



immense importance in Alaska. Approximately 60 percent of both U.S. 

 Outer Continental Shelf lands and potential offshore petroleum resources 

 lie adjacent to the state. Industry interest in developing the many 

 potential petroleum basins coupled with national concern over U.S. 

 energy dependence on foreign petroleum has resulted in strong pressures 

 to rapidly develop the Alaskan OCS. However, OCS development in Alaska 

 will encounter hostile ice, weather, and seismic conditions as well as 

 opposition from many state residents and government officials concerned 

 about negative environmental economic and social impacts. 



Past petroleum development in Alaska has been limited to onshore 

 lands (e.g., Prudhoe Bay) and state-owned offshore lands (e.g., Cook 

 Inlet). Prior to April 13, 1976, no leasing had ever taken place on 

 Alaska's Cuter Continental Shelf. On that date, however, the first of 

 many proposed lease sales took place, the northern Gulf of Alaska sale. 

 Exploratory drilling and support activities in the Gulf of Alaska have 

 only begun as a result of this sale. Despite the great potential of the 

 Alaskan OCS, no petroleum resources have ever been recovered nor will 

 they be for several years until exploration and development activities 

 produce results. 



Substantial uncertainty exists concerning the amount of petroleum 

 present on Alaska's Outer Continental Shelf. Because the Alaskan OCS is 

 a frontier region lacking previous drilling experience and incomplete 

 seismic information, it is difficult to estimate potential petroleum 

 resources. All petroleum thought to exist on the Alaskan OCS is classified 



