Libraries, Archives, Museums: Petroleum and natural gas primary source collections: University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska and Polar Regions Collections and Archives Alaska Film Archives

Petroleum and natural gas related collections

This guide contains collections of primary source material related to petroleum and natural gas, including the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS), held at archives, libraries, and museums in Alaska. This guide is not comprehensive and may not include every collection containing material related to these subjects

Click on the linked collection names for more detailed guides to the collections. Not every collection has an online guide. For more information about the collections listed, please contact the institutions that own the collections.

Selected items related to the oil and natural gas industries, and TAPS, from many of the institutions represented in this guide have been digitized and added to Alaska's Digital Archives. You can use the search box at the top right of the homepage to search for these materials.

If you are a representative of an institution that holds primary source material about petroleum and natural gas, and would like to see your collections included in the guide, please contact the UAA/APU Consortium Library Archives and Special Collections.

University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska and Polar Regions Collections and Archives Alaska Film Archives

The following materials are available from the University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska and Polar Regions Collections and Archives Alaska Film Archives.

Aerial view of pipeline construction]; [between 1975 and 1977].
AAF-6024. From the KTVF collection. Images include aerial views of Fairbanks, the pipeyard, pipeline construction, sections of pipeline arranged along the roadside, trucking on the Haul Road, and North Star terminals.
[Alpine energy: can you feel it, we can make it happen, BP commercials, Alyeska commercials, energy: can you feel it, share the dream]; [between 1991 and 1998]
AAF-5370--AAF-5375. Part 1 (AAF-5370) contains an ARCO Alpine oil field commercial. Part 2 (AAF-5371) contains an ARCO commercial. Part 3 (AAF-5372) contains British Petroleum commercials. Part 4 (AAF-5373) contains Alyeska Pipeline commercials. Part 5 (AAF-5374) contains an ARCO commercial. Part 6 (AAF-5375) contains ARCO commercials.
Alaska native magazine #1; 1975.
AAF-5874. Host Moses Wassillie looks at oil development along the outer continental shelf in Alaska. Images include Yakutat, Kenai, Valdez, and Cordova. Additional images include travel to and life aboard an oil drilling platform in Cook Inlet. Speakers on the program include, Susie Abraham, Sam Demmert, Walter Porter, Ted Valle, Rosemary Rowsey, and Dallas Burford.
Alaska pipeline report; [between 1976 and 1977].
AAF-6033. From the KTVF collection. APR Collection Number 99-001. Film was produced to chronicle Trans-Alaska Pipeline construction. This copy was made for broadcast in Portland, Oregon. Ted Lehne introduces segments narrated by reporters Terry Foster and Richard Fineberg. People interviewed include Rod Higgins supervisor of construction at Pump Station 8, Ken Rither Mayor of North Pole, Jerry Storey Principal of the Delta School, and Delta businessman Bob Cramer. Images include pipe construction, VSM construction, pump station construction and buildings at Delta Junction.
Alaska review 6. 1977.
Third segment, "Seward: A Time to Prepare, " looks at the impact of possible offshore oil development near Seward. Interviews with Seward Mayor Dick Neve, Seward realtor Dick Erickson, Seward City Manager Johnny Johnson, Jim Matthews of Exxon, and Cliff Center are included.
Alaska review 35; 1979.
AAF-4980. Reporter Mark Weller examines the potential benefits and dangers of drilling for oil in Alaska's offshore waters.
Alaska review 38; 1980.
AAF-4983. In the first segment, Alaska Review reports on the state's budget surplus, where the oil revenue will go, and what will happen if and when Alaska's oil resources run out. The permanent fund and permanent fund dividends are discussed. Those interviewed include: unidentified man-on-the-street interviewees; Alaska Governor Jay Hammond; State Representative Dick Randolph of Fairbanks; Robert Hartig of Commonwealth North; Ross Schaff, state geologist; Tom Williams, revenue commissioner; Don Bell of the Alaska Loggers Association; State Representative Terry Gardiner; and Jim Edenso, Alaska's bottomfish coordinator in Juneau.
Alaska review 43; 1981.
AAF-4988. Proposed petrochemical development in Alaska is explored in this program
Alaska's offshore oil: a very natural resource; [1981].
AAF-1379. "Portions of this program were excerpted from other films". Generally positive program about off-shore oil and gas development in Alaska. Covers how oil is formed, compatibility of off-shore development with other activities such as commercial fishing, and talks about how people of the Shetland Islands were affected by oil and gas development. Al Allen, manager of the Beaufort Sea Cleanup Group, and Byron Mallot (Sealaska Corp.) talk briefly.
[Alyeska pipeline archaeology]; 1974.
AAF-13. Contains scenes of archaeological surveying along the proposed Trans-Alaska Pipeline route to verify the number of potential sites of archaeological significance. Carried out by Department of Anthropology, University of Alaska Fairbanks.
[Alyeska pipeline films]; [between 1975 and 1978].
AAF-9501 -- AAF-9506. From the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company Collection. This collection has not been donated and is on deposit only. Signed authorization from Alyeska is required prior to release of any images for any reason. News releases and other footage of pipeline construction and facilities.
[Alyeska pipeline films]; [between 1975 and 1978].
AAF-9507 -- AAF-9508. From the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company Collection. This collection has not been donated and is on deposit only. Signed authorization from Alyeska is required prior to release of any images for any reason. Footage of pipeline construction and facilities.
[Alyeska start-up]; 1977.
AAF-20417. From the William W. Bacon III collection. APR Collection Number 2015-203. Images include the press and TV crews at Prudhoe Bay waiting for oil to start flowing into the Trans-Alaska Pipeline on June 20, 1977, as well as scenes inside a control room and aerial views of Prudhoe Bay facilities.
[Alyeska start-up, press and TV crews waiting for oil 1977]; 1977.
AAF-20001 -- AAF-20002. William W. Bacon III collection. APR Collection Number 2015-203. Film taken when oil first started flowing through the pipeline.
ANWR : America's energy future
AAF-211. Presents the case for permitting oil and gas exploration and development within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) by demonstrating how Alaskan oil fields have been developed in past years in an environmentally sensitive manner with minimal impact upon animal habitat.
ANWR wilderness or oil reserve?; 1995.
AAF-6296. Proponents and opponents of oil development in the Arctic National Wildlifr Refuge (ANWR) present reasons for their respective viewpoints. Rick Steiner of the University of Alaska Marine Advisory Program moderates the program featuring state senator Drue Pearce, AFL-CIO representative Mano Frey, environmental consultant Bob Childers, and Jack Hession of the Sierra Club.
Arctic oil : The trans-Alaska pipeline; 1977.
AAF-573. From the UAF collection. Story about the construction of the trans-Alaska pipeline and the demand for oil in America.
The Arctic...the wildlife...a pipeline.
AAF-586. Program explains a desire to develop the Prudhoe Bay gas fields and build a pipeline through Canada to the midwestern United States.
[Coldfoot camp, pipeline construction]; [between 1974 and 1977].
AAF-1397. From the University of Alaska collection. Images include heavy equipment working on pipeline pad, Coldfoot camp, workers in the Coldfoot mess hall, ice bridge across the Yukon River, Coldfoot airport and construction. Images at Happy Valley camp include barracks hallway, men in recreation room and fire truck on the haul road.
[Coldfoot pipeline camp]; [between 1975 and 1977].
AAF-1195. From the KUAC collection. Images include men and women eating at the mess hall, barracks buildings and woman doing laundry.
Cook Inlet Pipeline Company's Drift River, Alaska; [1986].
Story of the construction of a 42 mile pipeline tanker oil-loading platform two miles offshore in Cook Inlet, Alaska.
Creating the image of ANWR; 1988
AAF-3067. The Northern Alaska Environmental Center and the Alaska Oil and Gas Association present their differing views on the future of ANWR in separately produced videos followed by a panel discussion.
Crude Awakening; 1989
AAF-12740. A segment from the CBS television program 48 hours. Explores the effect of resource exploitation on the economy and lifestyle of Alaska, by examining the aftermath of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in the Alaskan waters of Prince William Sound.
[Happy Valley pipeline camp]; [between 1975 and 1977].
AAF-1891. From the KUAC collection. Images include Happy Valley dormitory and recreation hall. Additional images include pipeline pad or road construction.
[Inside the trans-Alaska pipeline]; [between 1974 and 1980].
AAF-20628. From the Bovee Historical Film collection, APR Collection Number 2016-001. See also the Pendleton Productions collection APR Collection Number 2015-072. Contains silent scenes of a welder inside the trans-Alaska pipeline, and views as a camera moves down the length of the inside of the pipeline.
North Slope Alaska; between 1962 and 1968.
AAF-149. Industrial film about British Petroleum BP oil exploration and early development on the North Slope of Alaska. Images include tug Radium Dew hauling barges from Mackenzie River to Pingo Beach on Colville River. Truck convoy hauls supplies to inland drilling site. Camp life at the drill rig and men drilling exploratory well.
OCSEAP : the Outer Continental Shelf Environmental Assessment Program; [between 1970 and 1980].
AAF-158. Film looks at environmental impact of oil drilling in Alaska. Images include coastlines, oil drilling camps, drilling platforms, OCSEAP personnel describing program, sea mammals and aircraft.
Oil, the invisible traveler.
44103. The story of oil transportation. Traces the history of petroleum transportation and shows how the network of oil carriers evolved. Explains how a planned transportation system permits supplies to be handled with demand to assure a regular supply of petroleum products.
Pipedream to pipeline; [197-?].
AAF-6172. Goodyear Tire Company tells the story of the 800-mile Trans-Alaska Pipeline, showing various rubber products that were used, tires for construction vehicles, hoses and pillow tanks, in construction and transportation during the building of the project.
Pipeline Alaska; [between 1975 and 1978].
AAF-8249. BP presentation about need for Trans-Alaska Pipeline, and the challenges of pipeline construction. Views of North Slope facilities, Haul Road and pipeline construction, pipeline construction workers, and oil tankers.
A Pipeline and animals!; circa 1983.
AAF-11489. Program demonstrates how modern technology and wildlife exist side-by-side along the trans-Alaska pipeline. From the UAF collection.
[Pipeline construction]; [between 1972 and 1982].
AF-10594. From the Stewart Rothman Collection. APR Collection Number 2015-020. Contains images of Trans-Alaska Pipeline construction south of the Yukon River, possible around the Delta Junction area.
[Pipeline footage]; [between 1968 and 1978].
AAF-6118. From the KTVF collection. APR Collection Number 99-001. Woman operates radio (segment titled "Brown Muleskinner"). Truck on road, man and woman interviewed, woman works at desk, truck views, man and woman talk (segment titled "Phil and Annie cutaways"). Truck hauls pipeline sections on Haul Road in winter (segment titled "Winter Shots - Pipe"). Ambulance drives through Fairbanks, man in hospital bed, interior hospital views, views of new Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, men and yellow vehicle (segment titled "Pipeline Report #4 outs"). Haul Road views, Happy Valley sign, construction camp, trucks on road, snow on mountains and tundra, wooden cross and fence in wooded area, truck inspection by NANA official, small pipes unloaded, truck on Yukon River Bridge (no title).
Pipeline. Pipeline Service Co. ; made by Pendleton Productions, inc.; 1978.
AAF-2951. From the UAF collection. Tells the story of the Trans-Alaskan-Pipeline Project from the initial legal and environmental concerns, through construction problems, to successful completion of the project.
[Pipeline presentations]; 2012.
AAF-15005 -- AAF-15006. Recording was made during the second annual Ted Stevens Day celebration, held July 18, 2012, at the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Presentations about the Trans-Alaska Pipeline are given by UAF Film Archivist Dirk Tordoff, Ted Stevens Papers Project archivist Mary Anne Hamblen, and Alyeska Pipeline Service Company representatives John Baldridge and Lorena Hegdal. Dean of Libraries Bella Gerlich provides introductions.
[Pipeline Report #5 A-roll]; [Between 1975 and 1977].
AAF-6002. From the KTVF collection. Taken during construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Reporter Ted Lehne reports on progress during construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Images include 48-inch pipe on rail cars, 80-foot lengths of pipe on trucks, Ted Lehne, Delta Camp, school children, work on vertical support members (VSM), aerial view of pipeline construction and pipeline camp.
[Pipeline Reports #1 and #2]; 1974.
AAF-6106. From the KTVF collection. APR Collection Number 99-001. Scenes of pipeline construction and facilities, and interviews about the pipeline.
[Pipeline, South Atigun Pass]; [between 1975 and 1985].
AAF-20003. From the William W. Bacon III collection. APR Collection Number 2015-203. Filmmaker's original labeling scheme has this film numbered as Bacon 114-1, and titled "Pipeline, South Atigun Pass: ECN [Eastman Color Negative]-180 feet." Contains very grainy and static images of the Trans-Alaska pipeline, a washed out culvert along the road, and a distant shot of a vehicle traveling along the Haul Road.
[Pipeline worker interviews]; [Between 1974 and 1977].
AAF-6590. From the UAF collection. Interview of two pipeline workers during construction of the Trans Alaska Pipeline about life in the camps and the work in general. The interviewer and first man are unidentified. The second worker is Eric Early of Delta Junction.
Saving a big land.
AAF-6654. Recounts the environmental controversy over the ways and means of using oil on Alaska's North Slope, suggesting that satisfactory environmental solutions found there might be applied elsewhere.
A Sense of Privilege.
AAF-2494. Program shows the animal life and scenery along 400 miles of the proposed 800 mile route of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Points out threats to wilderness during development. Includes interviews with Wiseman residents Charlie Brockman, Harry Leonard, and Florence Jonas.
The Trans-Alaska pipeline; undated.
AAF-1182. From the UAF collection. Explores the engineering and construction challenges of the trans-Alaska pipeline. Scenes of construction workers, pipeline camps, the Yukon River bridge, Yukon River hovercrafts, trucks on the Haul Road, archaeological sites, and the Valdez terminal are accompanied by interviews with various people involved in the pipeline project.
Valdez 1976 : the boom; [1976?]
AAF-2207. Describes the changes in a small town, both beneficial and detrimental, caused by drastic community growth related to the trans Alaska pipeline; and the efforts of the community to build only for permanent growth.

Credits

This guide is supported in whole or in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Alaska State Library.