The Alaskan wilderness and surrounding seas have long been coveted by oil and mining companies for their richness in natural resources, but strict regulations and controversial environmental issues have prevented widespread efforts from taking place.
Currently debated is the Chukchi Sea lease sale 193. The Chukchi Sea area in question lies 25 miles off the north-western coast of Alaska. Reservoirs below are thought to contain 15 million barrels of recoverable oil and 76 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The sea bed, lying between 95ft and 262ft, could be easily accessed by off shore drilling rigs. This icy sea is also one of two environmentally sensitive habitats of arctic polar bears, a species whose endangerment is also currently in debate. Impending decisions on the protection of their habitat could significantly limit development by the oil industry in the Chukchi Sea.
The Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service has proposed the sale of 29.4 million acres for oil and gas exploration to be held on Feb 6, 2008. This would be the first sale in this region in fifteen years. Oil and gas exploration and extraction companies will bid for the rights of 5355 blocks of territory and the MMS would collect a 12.5% royalty on revenue from all parcels. Advocates for the sale believe this could help bolster the faltering U.S. economy by providing a security that comes from reduced reliance on foreign oil supply.
Politicians, including Senator John Kerry, are advocates for delaying the sale until a decision can be made about the Polar Bears endangermenet. Delaying the sale by as much as three years would allow scientists more time to conduct studies on how further commercial activity may cause imbalance in this region. Scientists also seek to develop an understanding of how global warming is impacting habitat. Polar bears are carnivores and scavengers that live and hunt for food off the ice floes of the Chukchi Sea. When the ice melts the bears either drown or are forced inland, which limits their access to their staple food sources: seal, walruses, and narwhal and beluga whale carcasses.
Some have questioned why the proposed sale is to take place before the decisions about the polar bear habitat, however it seems there is little that can be done to stop the sale now. The Alaska Wilderness League expects companies like Exxon, Shell, and Statoil to be bidding on the sale. Companies like Triple Diamond Energy Corp could also benefit from further oil developments in the region.
About the Author: Robert Jent is President & CEO of Triple Diamond Energy Corp. Triple Diamond Energy is an independent producer of oil and natural gas. Located in the Dallas area, the company specializes in acquiring the highest quality prime oil and gas properties
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