Drilling in ANWRDrilling in ANWR

The United States has only 3% of the world’s oil reserves, yet it consumes 25% of the world’s production.

Table of ContentsTable of Contents

What is ANWR?What is ANWR? History of ANWRHistory of ANWR What is the controversyWhat is the controversy ProsPros ConsCons

What is ANWRWhat is ANWR

ANWR stands for Alaska National ANWR stands for Alaska National Wildlife RefugeWildlife Refuge

Largest wildlife refuge in United Largest wildlife refuge in United StatesStates

Consists of 19million acresConsists of 19million acres Has a native population of 220 Has a native population of 220

residents in Kaktovikresidents in Kaktovik

History of ANWRHistory of ANWR

1923 – 23million acres of land set aside as 1923 – 23million acres of land set aside as an oil reservean oil reserve

1952-1953 – government created two areas:1952-1953 – government created two areas: One for the production of oil and natural gasOne for the production of oil and natural gas One to be used as a wildlife refuge originally One to be used as a wildlife refuge originally

8.9million acres8.9million acres 1980 – Alaska National Interest Lands 1980 – Alaska National Interest Lands

Conservation Act was passed – increased Conservation Act was passed – increased ANWR to 19million acresANWR to 19million acres

So what is the big deal?So what is the big deal?

Should the drilling of oil occur in ANWR or Should the drilling of oil occur in ANWR or should it remain a wildlife sanctuary?should it remain a wildlife sanctuary?

Two main debates:Two main debates: The drilling of oil could The drilling of oil could

help reduce the nation’s help reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign dependence on foreign oil.oil.

The drilling of oil will The drilling of oil will disrupt the environment disrupt the environment of many species of of many species of animals.animals.

Pros of DrillingPros of Drilling Drilling is planned to occur in <2,000 of the Drilling is planned to occur in <2,000 of the

19 million acres19 million acres Could generate close $1.3billion for the Could generate close $1.3billion for the

federal treasuryfederal treasury Estimated to have approximately 10.4billion Estimated to have approximately 10.4billion

barrels of oil and 150ftbarrels of oil and 150ft33/year of natural gas/year of natural gas Estimated to provide more than 700,000 Estimated to provide more than 700,000

jobs for Americansjobs for Americans Would decrease dependence on foreign oilWould decrease dependence on foreign oil

Who supports drilling?Who supports drilling?

Both President George W. Bush and Both President George W. Bush and the House Representativesthe House Representatives

Alaska State GovernmentAlaska State Government Citizens of AlaskaCitizens of Alaska Oil and Gas CompaniesOil and Gas Companies

Cons of DrillingCons of Drilling

Could harm the habitat of thousands of Could harm the habitat of thousands of species of animalsspecies of animals

Oil from ANWR is not expected to Oil from ANWR is not expected to significantly impact world oil pricessignificantly impact world oil prices

Estimates say that the oil or gas will take Estimates say that the oil or gas will take approximately 5-10years to reach the approximately 5-10years to reach the marketmarket

Only projected to decrease America’s Only projected to decrease America’s dependence on foreign oil by 8% by 2025dependence on foreign oil by 8% by 2025

Who doesn’t support Who doesn’t support drilling?drilling?

Environmental GroupsEnvironmental Groups Democratic PartyDemocratic Party Alaska Inter-Tribal Alaska Inter-Tribal

CouncilCouncil

Other Aspects to ConsiderOther Aspects to Consider The amount of oil is only estimated to The amount of oil is only estimated to

supply the United States for ~1.4yearssupply the United States for ~1.4years New oil technology have been designed to New oil technology have been designed to

utilize the least amount of land surface utilize the least amount of land surface possiblepossible

The amount of oil available is uncertain, it The amount of oil available is uncertain, it is currently based on estimatesis currently based on estimates

The oil produced can not be exported, is The oil produced can not be exported, is solely for United Statessolely for United States

Costs and time scale are very uncertainCosts and time scale are very uncertain

So, the question is:So, the question is:Should the Unites States allow Should the Unites States allow

drilling in ANWR or not?drilling in ANWR or not?

SourcesSources

www.netl.doe.gov/publications/factsheet/www.netl.doe.gov/publications/factsheet/policy/Policy006.pdfpolicy/Policy006.pdf

www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/servicerpt/ogp/www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/servicerpt/ogp/index.htmlindex.html

www.anwr.orgwww.anwr.org en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Artic_Refuge_drilling_controversyArtic_Refuge_drilling_controversy www.unc.edu/~money/geography/history.htmlwww.unc.edu/~money/geography/history.html www.heritage.org/Research/www.heritage.org/Research/

EnergyandEnvironment/EM763.cfmEnergyandEnvironment/EM763.cfm

SourcesSources

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/21/content/article/2005/12/21/AR2005122102005.htmlAR2005122102005.html

www.nationalcenter.org/www.nationalcenter.org/NPA535ANWR.htmlNPA535ANWR.html