[chipengineer]

>But it’s a helluva lot more efficient to ship the crude oil to the nearest refineries and markets.

Japan is a closer market for Alaska oil than most US refineries.

[okie01]

Japan is a closer market for Alaska oil than most US refineries.

Literally, you are correct...BUT North Slope oil isn't shipped to Gulf Coast refineries. Instead, it is shipped solely to West Coast refineries -- where it is then refined and marketed on the West Coast.

There are refineries in the Puget Sound area, on San Francisco Bay and in Long Beach/LA.

The furthest of these from the TAPline terminus at Valdez would be Long Beach, some 2362 statute miles. The distance from Valdez to Tokyo is 3458 statute miles, over a thousand miles further.

[thackney]

Japan is a closer market for Alaska oil than most US refineries.

But it is not shipped to most US refineries, just the West Coast ones that are far closer than Japan.

Here you can see data from the California Energy Commission. They track the amount of oil brought into California from Alaska.

CALIFORNIA CRUDE OIL PRODUCTION AND IMPORTS
http://www.energy.ca.gov/2006publications/CEC-600-2006-006/CEC-600-2006-006.PDF

Here you can see from the Washington Government that 74% of the oil used in Washington State refineries comes from Alaska.

Washington State, Petroleum FAQs
http://qa.cted.wa.gov/portal/alias__CTED/lang__en/tabID__847/DesktopDefault

US Crude Oil Exports by Destination
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_move_expc_a_EPC0_EEX_mbblpd_a.htm

U.S. Crude Oil Exports to Japan
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/hist/mcrexja2a.htm