In 1977, The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) was built, over 1287 kilometers north-south pipeline connecting the Prudhoe and Valdez. As a result a steady flow of oil has been transported to the United States and the rest of the world. The daily volume transported is up to 18 million barrels of oil and petroleum accounts for 80% of the total revenue of Alaska.

Proven oil reserves are 64 billion barrels and a potential reserves of 250 billion barrels. Under the current scale of production this area could be mined for 57 years.