Prudhoe Bay, AK | Prudhoe Bay Business Listings Source: Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development
Current Population: 47 (1999 Alaska Dept. of Labor Estimate) Incorporation Type: Unincorporated Borough Located In: North Slope Borough Taxes: Sales: None, Property: 18.51 mills (Borough), Special: None Location and Climate
Prudhoe Bay lies offshore in the Beaufort Sea, east of Nuiqsut, in the northern waters of Alaska. It lies at approximately 70d 22m N Latitude, 148d 22m W Longitude (Sec. 08, T010N, R015E, Umiat Meridian). Prudhoe Bay is located in the Barrow Recording District. The area encompasses 34.7 sq. miles of land and 12.1 sq. miles of water. The climate of the North Slope is arctic. Temperatures range from -56 to 78. Precipitation is light, averaging 5 inches, with snowfall of 20 inches. History, Culture and Demographics
The Bay was named in 1828. The site was extensively developed for oil drilling operations in the 1970s. An 800-mile pipeline was constructed to transport crude oil from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, where it is shipped in marine tankers to terminals throughout the U.S. The pipeline has 12 pump stations and a maximum capacity of 2 million barrels of crude oil per day.
Alaska Natives represent 8.5% of the population. As a work site, oil is the focus of the local culture. All residents are employees of oil drilling or oil-support companies, and work long consecutive shifts. Living quarters and food are provided to the workforce, and there are a number of recreational facilities.
During the April 1990 U.S. Census, there were 0 total housing units, and 0 of these were vacant. The official unemployment rate at that time was 0%, with 47 jobs estimated to be in the community and 0% of all adults not in the work force. The median household income was $39,673, and 0% of residents were living below the poverty level.
Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
Modern sanitation facilities are available at the group quarters facilities.
Electricity is provided by North Slope Borough Power & Light.
There are no state operated schools located in the community.
Auxiliary health care is provided by Oil company EMT staff or flight to Barrow or Fairbanks.
Economy and Transportation
The Prudhoe Bay oil fields provide some 20% of the nation's domestic oil supply, and employ over 5,000 individuals in drilling, pipeline operations, cargo transportation and a variety of support positions. U.S. Census population and employment figures reflect only residents of Deadhorse or Prudhoe Bay - most oil field workers travel home to Anchorage or the lower 48 states when off duty. Pre-arranged tours are available through various tour companies.
The airport at nearby Deadhorse is the primary means of public transportation to the North Slope. A 6,500' private gravel airstrip is owned and maintained by Arco Alaska, Inc. A State-owned heliport is located at Prudhoe Bay. The Dalton Highway is used year-round by trucks to haul cargo to the Slope, although it is restricted to the public north of Wiseman. There are no services beyond this point, and the highway is hazardous during winter months.