How have the crude oil supply problems from the Prudhoe Bay region of Alaska affected domestic asphalt supply?

Bob Redd : Even though the problem occurred during the peak of the season, the impact on supplies was negligible, if any at all. Most asphalt manufacturers on the West Coast incorporate a mix of crudes into their refinery slates and, to my knowledge, none are completely dependent on Alaska North Slope (ANS) production to meet their supply commitments. Has that crude supply been restored now? Bob Redd : The good news is that the impact of the disruption was never quite as severe as originally feared. Since the event occurred in August, the supply of ANS has increased steadily. Based on what we had been told by our suppliers, we expect the availability of ANS crude to be at or near normal levels by November. Bill Haverland : Unlike fuels, the distribution of asphalt is more of a regional logistics game. You can put gasoline or diesel fuel in a pipeline and move them across great distances at a relatively low cost. Asphalt, on the other hand, has to be moved in such a way that it is ...  more