In 2004, energy exports from Alaska expanded 23% to $376 million, or $71 million more than in 2003. The category consists primarily of liquefied natural gas, light petrochemicals and coal.

Japan purchased 80% or $300 million of Alaska’s energy exports in 2004. China, Hong Kong, Korea, Canada and Chile imported the remainder.

In 2005, Alaska’s energy exports of liquefied natural gas, light petrochemicals and coal totaled $335 million, the second highest amount of the past five years. Japan accounted for just over 60 percent of Alaska’s energy exports with LNG purchases of $137 million and refined petroleum product purchases of $66 million. Mexico’s energy import of $75 million of Alaska refined petroleum product marks the first time that the country has imported from Alaska at that level. Hong Kong and Canada bought $27 million and $15 million respectively of refined petroleum product.

Alaska’s North Slope daily production of nearly one million barrels of crude oil per day flows to U.S. refineries. Between 1996 and 2000, around five and half percent of North Slope crude oil production was exported and is reflected in Alaska’s higher energy export values for that period.