Alaska oil extraction

Question 1

what is the need for oil ?

Answer 1

• In 2014 USA consumed 6.95 billion barrels of oil products
• Since 2013 demand has risen again
• 40% of the supply comes from imports → concerns for US in terms of balance of trade and political implications of not having energy security

Question 2

Alaska oil pipe stats

Answer 2

• 1,300km pipeline runs from Prudhoe bay to the ice free port of Valdez on the south coast
• Transports up to 1.4 million barrels per day of oil

Question 3

Impact of gravel pads

Answer 3

• Gravel is extracted from stream and river bess and used as an insulating base layer for road construction
• The loss of gravel alters the rate at which gravel is transported and deposited downstream → Can also affect the equilibrium between erosion / deposition processes
• Groundwater levels can fall by more than 2km from the extraction site - in Palmer

Question 4

What are the two ways energy flows were affected?

Answer 4

1. fossil fuels
2. production of heat from extraction and infrastructure

Question 5

Fossil fuel

Answer 5

By the release and burning of gas during drilling
* Flaring releases CO2 and Methane which is vented without burning

• Contribute to enhanced greenhouse effect
• Higher levels of terrestrial radiation being trapped in lower atmosphere - raising temp

Question 6

the production of heat from the extraction and transportation processes + infrastructure

Answer 6

• Urban heat island small town Barron found mean temps were 2.2 degrees higher than surrounding rural areas
• Heat from domestic heating in poorly insulated buildings - leads to uhi
• Strong correlation between → temp differences and oil rates nearby
• Energy released into environment by human activity also effects processes with 9% fewer days of freeze thaw cycles recorded since drilling began

Question 7

What has the heat released from the buildings caused?

Answer 7

can lead to thawing of permafrost and longer period of melting in the active layer

Question 8

How can the heat released cause solifluction lobes ?

Answer 8

• If building is constructed directly onto the ground surface some of the heat produced by heating systems may be transferred through the floor to the ground melting the permafrost
• Can result in subsidence and increase of moving of the active layer → leads to solifluction
  Resulting in solifluction lobes

Question 9

Physical challenges within Alaska

Answer 9

Below freezing temperatures
· Extremes of climate- warmer near coast
· Winds
· Climate change- increase melt of permafrost making land difficult to build on and lead to subsidence problems.

Question 10

human challenges

Answer 10

• Waste disposal- slow decomposition due to cold temperatures
  · Lack of daylight hours in winter
  · Remoteness- extra transport and infrastructure needed
  · Fuel freezes in vehicles

Question 11

solutions to issues

Answer 11

· Elevation of houses on pile driven stilts
· Larger unheated buildings and airstrips can be safely constructed on gravel pads
· Pipelines insulated and elevated on stilts

Question 12

Environmental issues

Answer 12

• oil spills degrade habitats
• seismic exploration disrupting animals
• gravel extraction affecting aquatic
• disposal of waste causing sanitary lanfill sites on permafrost
• pollute nearby water sources reducing water supply

Question 13

political issues

Answer 13

• North Sea region of Prudhoe Bay is running out of oil. Attention shifted to ANWR (arctic national wildlife refuge) which has a protected status except for an area called 1002.

Question 14

Arguments for the pipeline

Answer 14

• Oil and gas can be exploited and used to develop an area by stimulating local economy
• Gaining oil from the arctic would increase global supplies of oil which is running out - improves oil security for the USA
• Many jobs will be provided, especially for local people in deprived areas in Alaska
• Many Alaskans - get money from the industry via the Alaska Permanent fund - $3000 per person in 2012

Question 15

Arguments against the alaskan pipeline

Answer 15

• An oil spill can destroy Arctic ecosystems
• Arctic is a site of scientific interest, so should be preserved
• Small but growing Yukon / Alaska tourist industry would be threatened
• Arctic is one of the most dangerous to drill for oil
• Transportation of the oil would be very challenging, even in fair conditions
• Native Alaskans who rely on caribou for their way of life.These will be endangered by the development