Up to eight compressor stations would be needed for an 800 mile (1290 km) pipeline from Prudhoe Bay field to a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in southern Alaska, sponsors said.

Executives of BP, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, and TransCanada briefed Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell on their concept for the US$45 to US$65 billion pipeline/gas liquefaction project, which would be one of the largest in the world.

The 42 in. (1 m) pipeline would move up to 3.5 Bcfd (100 x 10⁶ m³/d) to the planned three-train liquefaction plant, which would serve the Far Eastern market. The Prudhoe Bay region has reserves of at least 32 Tcf (900 x 10⁹ m³), making it the largest untapped gas resource in North America.

“The project design also includes five off-take points along the pipeline route to ensure Alaskans access to a cleaner-burning and more dependable energy source,” the companies said. They have not yet decided whether to proceed with the project.