Augmented reality, wireless networks, blue hydrogen: on the North Slope, urgent necessity is the mother of all kinds of invention. As much as Alaska is a resource extraction economy, that activity also inspires, deploys, and hones technological innovations.
The return of Shell Oil to Alaska can wait another year. A deadline of December 31, 2021 was extended for Shell to secure partners for near-shore exploration in the Beaufort Sea.
Beyond 5G wireless in Prudhoe Bay, GCI envisions a telecommunications backbone to new renewable energy industries in Alaska.
The Greater Mooses Tooth #2 drill site in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska has achieved first oil production, according to ConocoPhillips Alaska.
Australian oil company Santos is merging with Papua New Guinea-based Oil Search, which has been developing the Pikka project on the North Slope.
GCI’s next 5G wireless network will be for the state’s richest industrial zone. Prudhoe Bay is scheduled to get 5G service in 2022.