Is it true that ALL Alaskan oil is sold overseas?

Question

I heard that ALL Alaskan oil is sold overseas because its sulfur content is too high for EPA guidelines, so it is sold mostly to Japan.

If that is true, does that make the whole ANWR proposition a ruse?

Answer 1

Good question! Most of it is sold overseas due to high sulfur content. But by law, all Alaskan oil must be shipped on US-flag tankers and processed in US refineries (with very few exceptions) before it is shipped overseas. There are some refineries that are equipped to make low-sulfur distillate fuels (mostly in Hawai'i and California), so not all Alaskan oil winds up overseas. But even if it did, taking it out of the ground (regardless of whether that ground is the North Slope or ANWR) would still benefit Americans, and it would be very easy to keep it for our own use if we ever had a fuel shortage. The EPA has always had the power to waive pollution laws during a national emergency.

Answer 2

Yes it is true, it is sold mostly to Russia and then what is left is sold to Japan.

Answer 3

no, it's not true. never heard that one before.

Update: Did a little more homework on this. I correct my statement above. sandislandtim is the one that is most closely correct on the response to this answer.