Dynamics and prospects for the development of the production of hydrocarbons in us arctic territories (Alaska state and Outer continental shelf)

Arctic offshore deposits of hydrocarbons are the most important strategic energy resource for all countries owning them, and it is possible to assume with a high degree of confidence that practical interest in this resource increases as more accessible fields become depleted and a new cycle of growth in world oil prices begins. The article discusses the history of formation and development of hydrocarbon production in the Arctic territories of the United States, namely in the state of Alaska. The contribution of oil production to the state’s economy and to its employment structure is assessed. The historical and forecast dynamics of oil production in the state is analyzed. Special attention is paid to hydrocarbon resources located on the Outer Continental Shelf of Alaska; various quantitative estimates of the volumes of oil and gas in different parts of the shelf are compared; a conclusion is drawn as to their potential role in further development of oil and gas production in the United States. The state of Alaska is unlikely to put serious effort into developing shelf fields in the waters, primarily because such projects are expensive and unable to compete with very cheap shale oil and gas projects of other states. However, Arctic offshore deposits of hydrocarbons are the most important strategic energy resource for all countries owning them, and it is possible to assume with a high degree of confidence that practical interest in this resource increases as more accessible fields become depleted and a new cycle of growth in world oil prices begins.