Oil & Gas
Industries
About 12 percent of U.S. oil production is from Alaska, and petroleum is the state's most important natural resource sector. Oil production is concentrated on the North Slope, with a small amount from Cook Inlet, which also produces natural gas. The petroleum industry creates jobs directly and indirectly through production; through revenues for state and local governments; and through special state savings accounts created with oil revenues.
Only a small share of the 53,000 jobs for Alaskans that depend on petroleum production are direct production jobs. Petroleum production, exploration and development activities also create jobs in oilfield support, construction and other industries.
Source: Institute of Social and Economic Research, University of Alaska Anchorage, Scott Goldsmith, Dec. 2008 and Oct. 2009
