Alaska is a large state and now contains 30% of total U.S. oil reserves. The Prudhoe Bay discovery in 1968 found 12 billion barrels of recoverable oil, the largest field in North America. Production is from a combination structural/ stratigraphic trap. The well-developed, thick pay zones in the subsurface were a surprise since these same rocks are hard and tight in outcrops. Other large fields have been found on the North Slope, which can be considered a world class producing province.

The 1002 Coastal Plain portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) has been set aside as an area of excellent petroleum potential since its geographic and geologic position makes it an integral part of the North Slope Province. Various governmental studies indicate numerous large undrilled structures in the 1002 area, which is only 8% of ANWR. The decision to open the 1002 area for drilling, however, will be a political one since various environmental groups oppose this. The argument that not enough potential reserves underlie the 1002 area to justify drilling is not logical.

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