The 1973 oil crisis caused significant rises in oil prices in the United States.  Realizing the drastic need to cultivate a new oil source, the government began to investigate the viability of the Prudhoe Bay oil field, which was discovered in 1968. Congress acted quickly and passed legislation to remove any blocks on the Alaskan oil project.

On this day, March 27th, in 1975, construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System began. There were several challenges that made construction of the pipeline difficult, such as weather and terrain, but the project was completed by 1977.  The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System is currently one of the largest in the world and spans more than 800 miles.  The system also features 11 pump stations, hundreds of miles of feeder pipelines and the Valdez Marine Terminal.

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline played a key role in reduced oil prices in the 1970s and has had a positive effect on the United States oil supplies since becoming operational.  By 2010, the pipeline had transported 16 billion barrels of oil.  The pipeline also played a key role in improving the Alaskan economy, increasing the state’s gross product from $8 billion to $39 billion.