Overcoming environmental concerns has long been a key to developing Alaska’s oil resources, particularly in the uniquely sensitive ecosystem of the arctic tundra. NETL has been instrumental in bringing sound science to bear in ensuring environmental safeguards remain in place while improving industry’s access to the North Slope’s oil and gas prospects.

On the North Slope, the oil industry must travel off-road across the tundra during winter to conduct seismic surveys, to build ice roads (designed to protect the fragile tundra) for exploratory drilling, to carry out construction activity, or to perform maintenance on remote infrastructure. The length of the winter work season imposes a limit on activity and has shortened over the past 30 years, dropping from over 200 days in 1970 to about 100 days in 2003. NETL is working to provide tools that will lead to a longer work season while maintaining or enhancing current levels of environmental protection. See project description.

Another NETL project has helped resolve environmental concerns over the withdrawal of water from tundra lakes and ponds for building those ice roads so critical to protecting the tundra. See project description.

Rolligons, all-terrain vehicles that move on large, low-pressure adjustable tires, are typical of the vehicles used for transport on the North Slope, AK.