The proved North Slope reserves of natural gas are held mainly in the developed Prudhoe Bay oilfield and undeveloped Point Thomson natural gas/condensate field to the east of Prudhoe Bay. In addition, the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that another 127 Tcf of technically recoverable natural gas remains to be discovered on the North Slope. North Slope operators produce about 8.6 billion cubic feet per day (Bcfd) of natural gas, nearly all of which gets reinjected into North Slope reservoirs for pressure maintenance and enhanced oil recovery. According to projections by DOE’s Energy Information Administration, the North Slope could yield sales gas volumes totaling 2.1 Tcf per year by 2030—or about 8 percent of total projected U.S. natural gas supply.

Further south, the Cook Inlet region is a sizeable natural gas province as well. More than 5.6 Tcf of natural gas has been produced to date from the Cook Inlet region, with about 1.7 Tcf in remaining reserves. Current production averages about 0.6 Bcfd, but the State forecasts that level will decrease by over 50 percent during the next 5-6 years. A 2004 NETL study on the future supply of Cook Inlet natural gas [PDF-2.53MB] identified key shortages in natural gas that could begin to occur as early as 2009 unless further exploration and development occur.

Beyond conventional gas, there also exists a massive methane hydrate resource onshore and offshore Northern Alaska.