**Trump Administration Aims to Double Oil Flow and Launch Major Gas Project in Alaska**

In Deadhorse, Alaska, President Donald Trump’s administration has announced ambitious plans to significantly increase the flow of oil through the state’s extensive pipeline system and initiate a sizable natural gas project. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright made this declaration while touring an active oil field near the Arctic Ocean with other key members of Trump’s Cabinet.

Wright, accompanied by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, revealed the administration's strategy to enhance oil and gas production in Alaska. Their visit to Prudhoe Bay is part of a multi-day expedition designed to underscore Trump’s commitment to expanding the state's energy sector, despite opposition from environmentalists.

Coinciding with their visit, Burgum's department announced a move to reverse Biden-era restrictions on future leasing and industrial developments in parts of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. These areas had been protected for their environmental and subsistence values. This petroleum reserve, situated west of Prudhoe Bay and Deadhorse, has been a key area for Alaska’s energy production.

Among the entourage were government and industry representatives from Asian nations such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Matsuo Takehiko, Japan’s Vice Minister for International Affairs at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, was present, reflecting the global interest in the proposed natural gas project. The project aims to supply gas to Alaskans and export liquefied natural gas overseas.

Wright spoke to a group of officials and pipeline workers on a chilly day, emphasizing the global demand for oil and natural gas. Wearing safety hats and vests, the attendees listened as Wright discussed doubling oil production and building the "big, beautiful twin" gas project to boost both the global energy supply and America’s economy.

Historically, oil flow peaked at about 2 million barrels per day in the late 1980s. Even after then-Gov. Sean Parnell's 2011 initiative to boost production to 1 million barrels per day, the pipeline's output averaged around 465,000 barrels per day last year. Nonetheless, the administration believes its new plans could revitalize the state's oil throughput.

Prominent figures in Alaska’s political landscape, including U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan and Governor Mike Dunleavy, also participated in the trip and spoke in favor of the administration’s plans. Additionally, many Alaska Native leaders have shown support for increasing drilling in the petroleum reserve and opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil development, arguing that previous administrations had neglected their interests.

Despite this support, environmental groups have voiced strong opposition to the rollback of environmental protections. Erik Grafe of Earthjustice criticized the emphasis on fossil fuels, especially in a state already feeling the effects of climate change.

The Interior Department has opened the proposed policy changes to public comment, and the Trump officials are set to continue their tour with appearances at Governor Dunleavy's annual energy conference in Anchorage.