The Potential of Natural Gas in the Alaskan Arctic

Abstract

ABSTRACT The natural gas in the Alaskan arctic represents a truly significant resource; a resource which should be exploited in the most appropriate manner. Currently, the proven reserves of natural gas in Alaska are estimated to be 19.7% (36.7 TSCF) of the total U.S. reserves (186.7 TSCF). In addition, the undiscovered recoverable natural gas resources of Alaska are about 89 TSCF compared to 610 TSCF in the lower 48 states. Furthermore, the Alaskan unconventional gas resources are more than 500 TCF. The purpose of this paper is to review the potential of natural gas resources in Alaska and to address various important issues related to utilization of natural gas. The paper provides a brief summary of various gas fields and their geologic settings. The different options for utilization of natural gas in the Alaskan arctic such as; transportation of gas to lower 48 states via gas pipeline, conversion to liquified natural gas and transport, conversion to fuel grade methanol and/or gasoline, natural gas for enhanced oil recovery, gas based petrochemical complex, gas utilization in the form of utilities are critically reviewed with respect to merits and demerits addressing engineering, economic, environmental, supply/demand, market and political aspects. The use of North Slope gas for the enhanced oil recovery on the North Slope fields is considered as the most attractive option. Furthermore, it may be worthwhile to convert part of the natural gas into methanol and transport it through the existing TAPS pipeline; The unavailability of market place does also present opportunities for gas utilization in novel processes.