It takes about 10 years from the decision from Congress to having oil flowing. No one can predict the oil market ten years in the future.
The area will have to be surveyed to gather geological data and prepare the area for bidding on leases. After leases are let, the seismic surveys will have to be completed, multiple exploratory wells will provide reservoir data that allow the gathering facilities and associated process to be designed. Material will be bought, much work will be done as off-site fabrication. Gravel pads will be installed during the winter with the access from Ice Roads quickly followed by the piling supports. The prefabricated modules that will be installed the following winter after the gravel has gone through a freeze and thaw cycle to compact. During module installation interconnects, main piperack and the like will be installed. During the same time pipelines from the Well pads / drill sites will be brought to the gathering centers where all the power plants, separation and treatment facilities, Gas Compressors, Pumps, Switchgear, Control Rooms, Living Quarters, Maintenance Facilities, Air Strips, Flare Stacks, Storage Tanks, etc are being built. From there other pipelines will move the product to Pump Station #1 of the Trans Alaska Pipeline. I design oil facilities for the North Slope, I have a decent idea what it takes from kick-off to product flowing.
Our long term energy security is oil sands, oil shale and methane hydrates. While we figure out how to economically produce those we need to quit sending our dollars in Taxes and Royalties to foreign govnernments and immediately start developing ANWR, the rest of NPRA, Bristol Bay, OCS and all our shorelines.
"Our long term energy security is oil sands, oil shale and methane hydrates. While we figure out how to economically produce those we need to quit sending our dollars in Taxes and Royalties to foreign govnernments and immediately start developing ANWR, the rest of NPRA, Bristol Bay, OCS and all our shorelines."
Agreed. Check this out:
Raytheon Technology Shows Promise in Extracting Oil from Shale Economically
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/micro_stories.pl?ACCT=149999&TICK=RTN&STORY=/www/story/05-08-2006/0004356676&EDATE=May+8,+2006