When you get to Prudhoe Bay, it won't be what you expect. My best description is that of a lunar landscape. Most of the year, locked in winter with temperatures at -50 degrees F. Everything that is man made has to take that into consideration. Buildings are off the ground to protect the premafrost. Eight to ten steps go up to each building (generally in the pre-fab manner). Buildings are distinguished by color. In winter most trucks are never turned off as it is likely that they couldn't be restarted.
Every pre-caution has been made to protect the environment. If you don't like the idea of Prudhoe Bay, stop putting Alaskan gas in your car! Yes, I have an opinion! Brian Richardson, one of the best outdoor guides in Alaska, is working at Prudhoe Bay operating heavy equipment. The schedule of this job (2 weeks on, 2 weeks off) gives him time to guide. He is wild about living and working on the North Slope, often at -50 degrees F. I trust his word about how things are going up there. He is very positive on the goings on. The caribou and the bears are happy.
It is an extremely flat area. When I was there, I stayed at NANA camp and pretty much had a free run of the area. I found out very quickly that I had no sense of direction and couldn't tell north from south. A very curious and odd feeling. The sky and tundra are flat. When you get to the Arctic Ocean, it appears to be flat during the time when the pack ice is 'out'. I find it beautiful! My opinion. Take it for what it's worth.
If you want the truth about the pipeline, go see it for yourself. It's worth the trip!