A Preliminary Feasibility Study of a Tanker Transportation System Serving the Northwest Coast of Alaska. Final Report - Executive Summary (Part 1 of 3)

摘要

This study investigated marine transportation systems for transporting crude oil and methanol on a year-round basis from the northwest coast of Alaska to ports on the West Coast of the lower '48 states. The technical and economic feasibility of various transportation systems was parametrically investigated and the results are described in this three-part final report. Part 1, is the Executive Summary, presenting a brief description of the total study. Briefly, the study found that year-round transportation of crude oil is technically feasible and economically attractive. Year-round methanol transportation is also technically feasible, but delivered costs would not be competitive with prevailing market conditions. New construction of ice breaking tankers, or of ice strengthened tankers associated with special icebreaking ships, would be required.