West Coast and Alaska Oil Exports (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised May 25, 2006 |
| Report Number |
RS22142 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Larry Kumins, Resources, Science, and Industry Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
As a reaction to oil price and supply concerns, questions about the export of crude oil produced
on
Alaska's North Slope are often directed at Members of Congress. The export of this oil had been
prohibited by the 1973 law allowing the construction of the pipeline system now transporting oil to
the ice-free, southern Alaska port of Valdez. But following a period of depressed oil prices,
legislation was enacted in 1995 permitting export. Relatively small amounts -- never more than 7%
-- of Alaskan crude were sold to Korea, Japan, China, and some other countries. These exports
stopped by 2000. Currently, no crude is exported from the West Coast.
Ownership of Alaskan oil fields has changed. BP Amoco and Arco merged in May 2000, and
as part of this transaction, Arco's one-third stake was sold to Phillips. BP Amoco is using the
formerly exported crude in California refineries acquired in the Arco deal. And Phillips (now part
of ConocoPhillips) exports no Alaskan oil and has said it has no plans to do so. The crude oil export
issue keeps recurring, especially in West Coast states, where gasoline prices have been higher than
in the rest of the nation. Concerns about exports contributing to regional fuel price differentials have
been voiced, and opponents of oil leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) fear oil
production from this environmentally sensitive area could be exported.
This report will not be updated.
