North Slope Alaska CS Flashcards
Where is the North Slope?
between the Brooks Range in the south and the Arctic Ocean in the north,
What is the trend of oil production in Alaska?
Peaked in 1985 at 1779 thousand barrels a day but has been on a downward trend ever since
what are 2 reasons for the decline in production of oil in Alaska?
The production costs at the north slope have increased
The oil shale industry has grown in the USA
what are 3 ways that the production of oil causes permafrost to melt?
Infrastructure diffuses heat directly into the environment
dust creates a darker environment and reduces the Albedo
removal of vegetation cover
How does the melting of permafrost impact the water cycle in the north slope?
the melting of permafrost increases run-off & increases river discharge
this increases the risk of flooding
How does the melting permafrost impact the Carbon cycle in the North Slope?
between 7-40 million tonnes/year of CO2 from permafrost melting
between 24-114 thousand tonnes/year of CH4 (methane) from permafrost melting
What are 2 other impacts of oil and gas production on the carbon cycle in the north slope?
Gas flares and oil spillages input CO2 to the atmosphere
The destruction or removal of vegetation means that photosynthesis happens less and less CO2 uptake
What are the 2 main focuses of management of the Arctic/North slope?
Minimise the disruption to water and carbon cycles & wildlife
Reduce the damage to oil and gas infrastructure which is costly to repair
What are 6 methods being used to managed the Arctic/North slope?
insulated ice and gravel pads
elevated pipelines & buildings
Lateral drilling
Remote sensing
Refrigerated supports
Arctic council
How does insulated ice and gravel pads help manage the Arctic/North slope?
construction on insulating ice or gravel can prevent the permafrost from melting
How can elevated buildings and pipelines help to manage the Arctic/North slope?
This allows for cold air to go between the permafrost &infrastructure and helps to prevent heat diffusing into the permafrost & melting it
How can lateral drilling help to manage the Arctic/North slope?
This allows for oil and gas to be reached from several km away
This reduces the amount of sights that need to be built and helps to keep the environment from damage
How does remote sensing help to manage the Arctic/North slope?
BY using remote sensing to find oil and gas reserves it reduces the need for exploration wells to be drilled
How do refrigerated supports help to manage the Arctic/North slope?
Helps to regulate the temperature of the permafrost
Used on the trans-Alaskan pipeline
