Furthermore, they belie longstanding claims that the Trans-Alaska Pipeline is on the verge of drying up. It contains known deposits of 13-25 billion barrels of tar sands similar to those being pumped in Alberta and California. Part of it is already being pumped at Milne Point and ARCO has assembled a research team to explore further production. Enhanced oil recovery in the contiguous U.S. using existing technology at today's prices could yield 30 billion barrels. The higher prices needed to make oil drilling in the Arctic Refuge feasible, if there is oil, will also mean more oil can be extracted from existing wells.
Oil is just one way to ensure the nation's energy security.
Energy conservation and efficiency measures will produce far more oil than may underlie the Arctic Refuge. The average American household could save 80 percent on its electricity bills by using energy efficient appliances. By increasing car mileage efficiency from 27 to 30 miles per gallon, more than 6 billion barrels of oil could be saved - that's twice the inflated estimates for the refuge. As for reducing the nation's dependence on foreign oil, there is no evidence that we can drill our way to energy independence. The United States will remain dependent on foreign oil whether or not the Arctic Refuge Coastal Plain is drilled.