The speculative development scenario maps illustrate development that could occur consistent with the 2,000-acre "limitation" in the House Energy Bill (H.R. 4, Section 6507(a)(3)). It is based on information from the United States Geological Survey (1998) that potential oil in the Refuge is not located in one "elephant" field, but is scattered across the coastal plain in smaller pockets. The development scenario uses a 4-mile directional drilling reach from drill sites, a distance commonly cited by the oil industry and included in President Bush's National Energy Policy.

Note the 2,000 acre box on right hand side of map. This depicts the limitations if oil development were contiguous. However, language within the Energy Bill (H.R. 4) does not limit development in this manner.