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Twenty-three exploratory wells were drilled in Alaska in 1981. Ten oil or gas discovery wells were drilled on the North Slope. 154 development and service wells were drilled and completed in the Prudhoe Bay and Kuparuk River fields on the North Slope. Geologic and geophysical field activity increased significantly in 1981, mainly because of increased North Slope activity and for OCS sale preparation in the Bering Sea. Two OCS lease sales were held and the first NPR-A lease sale was held. The State of Alaska continued a series of scheduled state lease sales.

Twenty-three exploratory wells were drilled in Alaska in 1979. Six apparent oil discovery wells were drilled on the North Slope and 3 gas discoveries were made in the Cook Inlet basin. Four wells drilled in the Lower Cook Inlet OCS area were dry. Eighty-four development and service wells were drilled and successfully completed. Geologic-geophysical field activity by industry and government consisted of 77.95 crew-months, a decrease of 19%, compared to 1978. This decrease affected most of the major basins of the state except the Cook Inlet basin which had a 90% increase from the previous year. Federal acreage under lease decreased more than 30%, and state lease acreage declined slightly. Oil production showed an increase of 14% as the Prudhoe Bay field reached its potential. Gas production showed an increase of over 20%. The first joint Federal/State OCS lease sale was held in the Beaufort Sea and the first state sale of a 5-year leasing schedule was held. The federal land situation remains unresolved until the 17 (d) (2) question is decided by Congress.

Twelve exploratory wells were drilled in Alaskan waters in 1983. No discoveries were announced discoveries as all the wells were suspended or plugged and abandoned. Main industry interest continued to be in the North Slope and Beaufort Sea areas of the state. The most costly wildcat well in North American history was drilled unsuccessfully in the Beaufort Sea. OCS lease sales in the Norton basin and St. George basin of the Bering Sea dominated leasing activity.

Twenty-seven exploratory wells were drilled in Alaska in 1978. One oil discovery was announced at the Point Thomson area on the North Slope and 9 suspended wells near the Prudhoe Bay field and the Kuparuk River field may have found oil. Two apparent gas discoveries were announced on the west side of Cook Inlet but the first well drilled in the Lower Cook Inlet OCS area was dry. Four wells drilled in the Gulf of Alaska OCS area were dry. Fifty-three development wells were drilled and all were successful; 7 service wells were completed. Geologic-geophysical field activity by both industry and government consisted of 95.89 crew-months, a decrease of 21% compared to 1977. This decrease affected all of the major basins of the state except the North Slope, which had a 13% increase from the previous year. Federal acreage under lease decreased more than 50%. State lease acreage declined slightly. As the Prudhoe Bay field reached its potential, the year's oil production showed an increase of 261% and gas production showed an increase of 160%. The State of Alaska announced a 5-year leasing schedule that may stimulate exploration, but the federal land situation remains unresolved until the 17(d) (2) question is decided by Congress.

Twenty-four exploratory wells were drilled in Alaska in 1982. There were no announced discoveries; all wells were suspended or plugged and abandoned. Geologic and geophysical activity increased substantially as preparations for OCS sales increased. OCS sale 71 dominated the exploration news in Alaska. More than $2 billion was spent by industry in this Beaufort Sea sale.