Mount Mckinley in Alaska
Alaska labours to change direction
Near-term output is expected to wane despite political backing for the Willow project
Alaska’s oil sector is struggling to reverse its steadily declining output. The state’s oil production fell to an average of 448,000bl/d in 2020, its lowest level in more than 40 years, according to the EIA. While the Covid-19 pandemic was a factor in this, the declining trend had been clear long before. Producers in Alaska remain confident in the state’s oil and gas potential, but there are various obstacles to realising it. And while some of these could be addressed, others may be more terminal. Like many other regions where oil development can be costly and challenging, Alaska has struggled to compete for investment with shale plays in the Lower 48 states. Crude prices have been strengthe
Also in this section
28 April 2026
Datacentres will guzzle power at a ferocious rate, but the impact on wider energy markets will be far more complex than previously thought
28 April 2026
The key energy player faces balancing regional routes, political complexities, and creating a clear strategic vision for energy security
24 April 2026
The European Commission’s response to the Middle East crisis is to double down on its transition strategy, with plans for a new target on electrification
24 April 2026
A major new discovery by Eni and BP that can likely be fast-tracked to production is welcome news for Egypt as it scrambles to plug a widening supply gap and deal with rising import risks
