or three days in June, the North Slope was cut off. Flooding from the Sagavanirktok River carved a gap into the Dalton Highway at milepost 315. A culvert collapsed, wiping out 80 feet of road. Even as crews worked to fill the 30-foot-deep gully, more flooding 30 miles north damaged an embankment along the highway.

Yet the haul road was only closed from June 14 to June 17, a much shorter shutdown than a flood disaster in 2015 that required re-engineering the riverbank. Governor Mike Dunleavy declared an emergency to bypass environmental rules to expedite repairs and apply for federal repair funds. The response was sudden and swift; it must be, to maintain access along such a vital artery.

The Dalton Highway provides access to the North Slope, where numerous projects are underway including Santos’ Pikka Project, ConocoPhillips Alaska’s Willow project, and a number of other pilot projects expected to enhance the state’s oil production. The efficient, safe, and timely transport of goods and equipment needed for these projects is managed by Alaska businesses by land, air, and sea.

Oil and gas development and production is a highly specialized field that requires specific equipment that needs to be rigorously maintained. Several Alaska businesses have found their niche helping the operators operate.

Lynden developed the first regular trucking service in the state with over-the-road service starting in 1954. To persevere through the tough weather in remote locations, Lynden uses special equipment like its PistenBully snowcats, which pull loads using custom-built sleighs. Additionally, Lynden’s hovercraft can traverse over ice, snow, water, or sand as needed to carry materials.

When transport by road isn’t possible, air transportation may be the best option. Lynden Air Cargo specializes in transporting cargo to challenging and remote locations using a fleet of four-engine Hercules aircraft.

In May, Lynden Air Cargo announced a strategic partnership with Moog to upgrade its fleet of Lockheed Model 382G Hercules aircraft with the Genesys Avionics suite. The partnership marks a significant milestone in the carrier’s commitment to enhance operational efficiency and ensure the highest standards of safety, reliability, and performance.

“We are thrilled to partner with Moog Inc. on this critical upgrade. Moog is a leader in avionics technology and will provide state-of-the-art systems to modernize our fleet and advance our operational capabilities. This initiative maintains our commitment to excellence and enables us to better serve our customers while meeting the evolving demands of the aviation industry. It also underscores Lynden Air Cargo’s dedication to continuous improvement, fuel efficiency, and innovation,” says Lynden Air Cargo president Scott Hicks.

The avionics and autopilot modernization program will encompass the installation of state-of-the-art equipment, software updates, and thorough integration testing. The initial aircraft update is scheduled to be completed by 2026.

Founded in 2006 to meet the need for versatile equipment rental on the North Slope, Brice Equipment offers a variety of equipment to aid the oil and gas industry, including aerial platforms, air compressors, articulated rock trucks, generators, and more. All rental equipment is weatherized for the North Slope’s arctic conditions, and the company offers 24/7 support from its two locations, one in Fairbanks and another in Deadhorse.

Additional services provided by Brice Equipment include onsite mechanics, raw-water loading, gravel crushing, maintenance and smart pigging support services, chemical injection services, pipeline and related facility maintenance and operations, leak detection system monitory and maintenance, flowmeter and valve maintenance and repairs, instrument checks and calibration, emergency spill response training, drills, and exercises, and underground vault cleanup operations.

Equipment Source, Inc. (ESI) commenced operations twenty-five years ago by reconditioning heaters for the North Slope. The company soon identified the unique challenges posed by harsh winter conditions in the Arctic. In response, ESI began designing and manufacturing heaters that are referred to as “Arctic tough” to ensure safe and warm work environments. According to the company, the ES700 indirect-fired air heater is the leading industrial heater in the oil fields on Alaska’s North Slope.

ESI also manufactures the Arctic Enclosure Pump, Tier 3 Diesel Engine Powered Pumps, and the Triplex Pump, which is used on the North Slope oil fields to pump freeze-protection fluids required to prepare wells for long-term storage. These heavy-duty systems are designed to withstand temperatures as low as -50°F.

A subsidiary of Remote Alaska Solutions, RAS Energy offers a variety of equipment rentals with daily, weekly, and monthly rental options available. The company’s rental fleet includes F350 4-door diesel pickup trucks, Doosan 480 and 450 wheeled loaders, Bobcat E85 mini excavators, 750K heaters, 34-foot gooseneck trailers, welders, and spill containment pits. RAS Energy also provides support services including mechanical services, project management, transport, and logistics.

Once the workers and equipment have been transported to the project site, another priority must be met: workers need a place to sleep.

NANA Regional Corporation has been meeting this need since 1974 through its catering and camp services subsidiary NANA Management Services (NMS). On the North Slope, NMS focuses on keeping camps for workers in the oil and gas industry clean, safe, and comfortable for the long work hours. Amenities at many campsites include athletic facilities, movie theaters, reading rooms, and recreation rooms. Some camps even have swimming pools.

In the West Cook Inlet, Olson Creek Alaska meets this need for the area’s gas industry workers. The specialty lodging and equipment services company takes its name from the stream near Chugach Electric Association’s Beluga Power Plant.

“Employees of the gas industry in West Cook Inlet work shifts from two to four weeks at a time before going home for a break,” explains Olson Creek Alaska manager Tyler Loken. “We provide a place for the workers to stay through the man camps we build. It’s not the Holiday Inn Express; in fact, it’s pretty bare bones, but it provides a clean bed in a room for the workers to rest, a place to eat, and a game room with a TV as a place to relax. There’s no need for a gym because these guys work twelve to fourteen hours a day; they need to rest.”

Olson Creek Alaska currently manages fifty beds between a few different camps. The camps are sometimes built from scratch, but are more often renovated from existing structures, which is typically less expensive. “It depends on the property’s condition,” says Loken. “We don’t necessarily have the luxury of starting from the ground up, so we renovate it to the best of our abilities. If we’re working on land and there is no previous building in place, we will build a new camp. Also, when the property is in rough shape, we decide whether or not we’d just be throwing money away to try to renovate. In those situations, it’s usually more cost-effective to start with a brand-new slate.”

The oil and gas industry in Alaska operates under conditions that require significant logistical expertise. The extreme cold, vast distances, and remote locations pose substantial challenges to every delivery, testing the capabilities, equipment, and perseverance of logistics providers. Efficient logistics support the development of Alaska’s oil and gas resources by facilitating access to and management of reserves located in these extreme environments.

Founded in 1983, Petroleum Equipment & Services, Inc. (PESI) was established with the objective of introducing products and services that were not previously accessible in the Alaska market.

PESI encompasses Alaska Service & Technology, a specialized company that provides an environmentally safe process for cleaning thread-protectors used in the petroleum industry.

The company’s mission to “obtain profitable growth through superior customer service, innovation, quality, and commitment to customers” is evident in its logistics expertise. PESI focuses on ensuring equipment is delivered intact and on time to project sites. The process begins with the manufacturer’s delivery of equipment to one of the company’s three locations: Anchorage, Nikiski, or Deadhorse. Equipment is thoroughly inspected and quality checked before setting up delivery to the project site. PESI established and implemented a quality management system to formalize this process.

Businesses specializing in managing logistics for the oil and gas industry are not only aware of the challenges but can also proficiently address them on a daily basis. These companies are focused on quality, timeliness, and reliability. Logistics companies that consistently deliver in these conditions distinguish themselves from their competitors. This reliability is established through a combination of advanced technology, strategic local partnerships, and an in-depth understanding of Alaska’s distinctive logistical environment.