"The oil gushing from a Gulf of Mexico oil well has the potential to touch Alaska in many ways.

Alaska is next in line, nationally, for offshore oil development in federal waters -- Shell Oil hopes to drill exploration wells in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas this summer, opening a controversial new frontier for the state's oil industry.

Investors' jitters over future offshore oil production could boost Alaska oil prices -- it happened Thursday, when the price for Alaska crude jumped by $2.70 to $83.97."

Elizabeth Bluemink reports for the Anchorage Daily News May 2, 2010. [2]