Risk: Medium Oil Extraction Operational

OIL SEARCH ALASKA, LLC Seawater Treatment Plant - North Slope Borough, Alaska Oil Extraction Facility

NORTH SLOPE BOROUGH, Alaska, United States

Overview

The OIL SEARCH ALASKA, LLC Seawater Treatment Plant in North Slope Borough, Alaska, supports oil extraction operations. This facility treats seawater for injection into reservoirs to enhance crude oil recovery.

The OIL SEARCH ALASKA, LLC Seawater Treatment Plant is located at Olitok Point in the North Slope Borough, Alaska, within the United States. This operational facility supports oil extraction activities in the region, a key area for domestic crude production. The plant treats seawater for injection into oil reservoirs, a common enhanced oil recovery technique used in mature fields. Operating under U.S. federal and state regulations, the facility must comply with the Clean Air Act (CAA) Refinery MACT standards and the Clean Water Act for discharge permits. Alaska's North Slope operations are also subject to Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) oversight for offshore-related activities. The plant's NAICS code 211120 indicates it is part of the crude petroleum extraction sector, which involves complex processing and environmental management. The facility plays a critical role in maintaining production levels in Alaska's oil fields, contributing to the state's economy and energy supply. Its seawater treatment process reduces the need for freshwater resources, minimizing local environmental impact. The plant's operational status ensures continued support for regional oil extraction infrastructure.

Environmental context

The North Slope Borough is an Arctic environment with sensitive tundra ecosystems and permafrost. Oil extraction facilities like this seawater treatment plant must manage risks of spills and emissions in extreme cold conditions. The facility's use of treated seawater for injection reduces freshwater consumption, but operations still pose potential risks to local wildlife and water quality. Regulatory compliance under the Clean Water Act and Alaska's environmental laws is essential to mitigate these impacts.

Frequently asked questions

The facility is located at Olitok Point in the North Slope Borough, Alaska, United States, with the zip code 99734.

The plant treats seawater for injection into oil reservoirs to enhance crude oil recovery, a common practice in mature oil fields.

The facility must comply with U.S. EPA Clean Air Act Refinery MACT standards, Clean Water Act discharge permits, and Alaska state environmental regulations. BSEE oversight may apply for offshore-related activities.

Seawater injection helps maintain reservoir pressure and improve oil recovery rates, extending the life of oil fields and reducing freshwater usage.

Risks include potential oil spills, emissions from operations, and disturbance to Arctic tundra and permafrost. Strict regulatory frameworks aim to minimize these impacts.

Other Oil Extraction plants in United States · 6 nearby

UtilityRadar
More
Press Esc to close · Browse by sector