The compelling challenge was somehow to transport at least 2 million barrels of oil a day from Prudhoe Bay and to start doing so as quickly as possible. Reserves in the ground were a fine thing, but they had to be pumped and delivered before they became money in the bank. Even before Prudhoe Bay State No. 1 hit, BP and ARCO-Humble engineers had pondered how they would get North Slope crude to market. Tankers loading right offshore were certainly an immediate answer, and given the ever-increasing tonnage, two ships per day might be able to handle the load.
