[dinopello]

Aren't we going to have to sell the whole kit and kaboodle (Alaska) to the Chinese anyway ? Better to hype up how much oil there is and how easy it will be to get now, pre-sale.

Either way, somebody is going to tap that oil since oil is so valuable. The questions relevent to public policy are who, when, what it is used for.

[Hawkcreek]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'M')onte does not mention that the Alaskan pipeline can move up to 2 MBPD & that it's half full now. Given the lack of shipping available, that means actual delivery of Alaskan crude can grow no greater than 1 MBPD.
Yawn

[hillsidedigger]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Plantagenet', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tanada', 'T')he real question that should be asked is, what impact has the development of Prudhoe Bay fields had on the wildlife? Secondly is that level of impact acceptable for ANWR development?
If the answer is minimal and acceptable then drill, if the answers are otherwise then don't drill.

[Hawkcreek]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'M')y first response to this is the caribou's predators must have been run off so upsetting the predastor-prey cycle and that is not good.

[larry00]

Once the trans Alaska pipeline is shut down it will be washed and disassembled and gone . Billions in 1960's dollars gone finis !

That will ensure ANWR which all ten people who have been there say is a Mosquito infested desolate place can keep it's billions of bbl's of crude and trillions of units of gas cause the expense of getting it to market would be too costly without tying in to the Trans Alaska pipeline !

We are really stupid people and no doubt deserve our fate ! What else is new !

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '[')b]Dwindling Oil Production Threatens To Blow The Trans-Alaska Pipeline by Joe Weisenthal, Dec. 27, 2009:
The 800-mile long trans-Alaska pipeline -- a key artery in our national oil infrastructure -- is on the verge of collapse owing to the decreased production out of Alaska's North Slope.
As with other key components of oil infrastructure, the pipeline does not do well then the flow slows to a trickle. Underutilization is a major problem.
The Seattle-Tacoma News Tribune (via The Oil Drum) has an interesting report on the situation there. …

[hillsidedigger]

The opportunity is not all that huge.

Note - The pipeline was built with 1970's dollars.

[frankthetank]

Larry-

How many barrels are under there? How cheap can you drill that oil for? How long until you can get it flowing?

I have the feeling that it would have been drilled long ago if it was economically feasible and existed in great enough amounts. I have nothing against drilling up there... drill away!

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('larry00', 'T')hat will ensure ANWR which all ten people who have been there say is a Mosquito infested desolate place

[hillsidedigger]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('frankthetank', 'L')arry-I have the feeling that it would have been drilled long ago if it was economically feasible and existed in great enough amounts. I have nothing against drilling up there... drill away!

[Schadenfreude11]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I') thinl that is also true about all the phantom offshore areas. If there was much oil in those places it would have been developed years ago.

[eastbay]

Has anyone considered saving it for later? Or are we all on the same page wanting to burn it all up as fast as we can?

[Schadenfreude11]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('eastbay', 'H')as anyone considered saving it for later? Or are we all on the same page wanting to burn it all up as fast as we can?

[shortonsense]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Schadenfreude11', '
')I would be satified if we just even made an effort to use oil more intelligently.

[hironegro]

or maybe should use energy more efficiently

[Homesteader]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('hillsidedigger', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Plantagenet', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tanada', 'T')he real question that should be asked is, what impact has the development of Prudhoe Bay fields had on the wildlife? Secondly is that level of impact acceptable for ANWR development?
If the answer is minimal and acceptable then drill, if the answers are otherwise then don't drill.

[hillsidedigger]

"The Prudhoe Bay caribou herd tripled in size after development of the Prudhoe Bay oilfield and pipeline. Oil field development actually appears to be good for Alaskan Caribou."

That sounds like a statement of Sarah Palin.

[Hawkcreek]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('hillsidedigger', '&')quot;The Prudhoe Bay caribou herd tripled in size after development of the Prudhoe Bay oilfield and pipeline. Oil field development actually appears to be good for Alaskan Caribou."

That sounds like a statement of Sarah Palin.

[Homesteader]

I would agree that it appears that Prudhoe Bay development did not adversely affect the herd.

To claim it had a beneficial impact is just plain silly.

[larry00]

I'm assuming everyone is now aware Shell is for the umpteenth time is trying for permitting to drill in the Barents bay area in Alaska which would extend the Alaskan Pipeline for a while longer !
The Prudhoe North Slope is dwindling down at 7 percent per year .

The EPA turned down Shell's last try because they did not include a study of CO2 generated by a Ice Breaker needed in the winter time to keep supply flowing to rigs.
The nearest native village is 70 miles away but they natives al have a copy of Al Gores Movie " An Inconvenient Truth " , well the inconvenient part fits !
Like it or lump it there is no alternative to take the place of fossil fuels for at least thirty years !

Obama EPA just what is your plan to sustain our economy till that elusive replacement comes along ?
Would it be Grid busting electric cars using power generated by guess what ! Fossil fuels ?

I really feel bad about launching that Desert Dune Lizard into the stratosphere aboard my home made rocket when I lived in New Mexico in the 60's ! I was unable to catch a Kangaroo Rat !
Now I feel responcible for the possibility of shutting down drilling in the entire Permian Basin ! Jeez what a low life !
Thanks Obama ! I hope we remember those good old days of $ 3.00 gas come 2012 !

[Pops]

Larry you need to get out more to get this stuff off yer chest! Let the world know, Brother!

Don't get so worked up, we'll drill up there eventually, we'll drill everywhere and burn everything until the entire planet looks like an ad for Round-Up.

But let me clue you in, prices will never come down to levels like the good old days where you got your windshield washed, tires and oil checked and a free Melmac plate with every fill up.