ARCO Alumni, Anchorage resident, and Alaska Oil & Gas Society member Willy Friar recently shared this picture. The 1999 plaque commemorates the production of 10 billion barrels of oil from the Prudhoe Bay field.The commemorative silver medallion or ingot bears the text “Prudhoe 10 billion barrels Jan 9, 1999.”
To learn more about becoming a member of the Alaska Oil and Gas Historical Society, click here.
Alaska’s rise as a major oil producer is closely tied to the exploration successes of ARCO and its predecessors, whose discoveries helped transform the state’s economy and long-term outlook. From early drilling in the Cook Inlet to the landmark Prudhoe Bay discovery, these efforts positioned Alaska as a key player in North American energy production and led to major infrastructure projects like the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. The article below highlights how exploration, competition, and industry consolidation shaped Alaska’s oil landscape and the legacy left behind by the people and companies involved.
2 Comments
Dave Norton · April 1, 2026 at 5:25 pm
the Alaska Oil & Gas Historical hopes to organize an event this summer celebrating ARCO and the Discovery Well. Please contact us if you want to help.
Ray Latchem · April 1, 2026 at 6:12 pm
Who took those great pics?