TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM

| the facts.
Trans Alaska Pipeline System

A collection of facts compiled over the duration of

the operation of the Trans Alaska Pipeline System,

by Alyeska Pipeline Service Company.

P.O. Box 196660, MS 542

Anchorage, Alaska 99519-6660
www.alyeskapipeline.com
2016
 Table of Contents

Fast Facts 2 N 34
Acronyms and O 35
Abbreviations 3 P 39
A 4 R 53
B 9 S 56
C 11 T 65
D 17 U 72
E 21 V 73
F 25 W 80
G 27 Y 80
H 28 Z 80
I 29 Map, TAPS 81
J 30 History, TAPS 82
L 31 Repairs, Major 103
M 33 Shutdowns, Pipeline 114
 pipeline fast facts acronyms and abbreviations
Air Temperature Range Along Route: -80°F to 95°F. ANP: Alaska Native Program OCC: Operations Control
API: American Petroleum Center
Diameter of Pipe: 48 inches.
Institute PL: Pipeline
Elevations, Highest:
APSC: Alyeska Pipeline PRT: Prevention/Response
• Atigun Pass: 4,739 ft. (crest, pipeline Service Company Tug
MP 166.6).
ARCS: Alternate Route PS: Pump Station
• Isabel Pass: 3,420 ft.
Communications System psi: Pounds Per Square Inch
• Thompson Pass: 2,812 ft.
BWT: Ballast Water PV: Power Vapor
Grade, Maximum: 145% (55°) at Thompson Pass.
Treatment
Length of Line: 800 miles (1,288 kilometers); includes RCAC: Regional Citizens
bbl: Barrel Advisory Council
407 ft. added in MP 200 reroute, April 22, 1985. CV: Check Valve RGV: Remote Gate Valve
Linefill Volume: 9,059,057 bbl. This number differs with DRA: Drag Reducing Agent SIPPS: Safety Integrity
the “Linefill” (9,059,622 bbl).
DSMA: Digital Strong Motion Pressure Protection System
Mountain Ranges Crossed, North to South (three): Accelerograph SERVS: Ship Escort/
Brooks Range, Alaska Range, Chugach Range. dwt: Deadweight Tons Response Vessel System
Number of Gallons in a Barrel: 42. E&A: Electification & TAPS: Trans Alaska Pipeline
Right-of-Way Widths: Automation System
• Federal land: 54 ft. (buried pipe); 64 ft. EMS: Earthquake Monitoring TG: Turbine Generator
(elevated pipe). System VFD: Variable Frequency
• State land: 100 ft. ETT: Enhanced Tractor Tug Drive
• Private land: 54 ft. to 300 ft. JPO: Joint Pipeline Office VSM: Vertical Support
River and Stream Crossings: 34 major, nearly 500 others. kV: Kilovolts Member
Valves: 178. MLU: Mainline Unit VMT: Valdez Marine Terminal
Vertical Support Members (VSMs): 78,000. MP: Milepost UPS: Uninterruptible Power
Supply
Workpad, Length: 790 miles. MTU: Master Terminal Uni.
Years Built: 1974 to 1977. MW: Megawatts

2 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 3

 A
ALYESKA, Corporate Name: Alyeska Pipeline Service
Company. “Alyeska” is an Aleut word meaning “mainland.”
ALYESKA, Date of Incorporation: August 14, 1970.
ALYESKA, Early History: TAPS was originally called the
Trans Alaska Pipeline Project, and was a joint venture
ABOVEGROUND PIPE: See PIPE, Aboveground. of Atlantic Pipe Line Company (now ConocoPhillips
Transportation Alaska, Inc.), Humble Pipe Line Company
ACCESS ROADS: 225, linking state roads with the pipeline, (now ExxonMobil Pipeline Company) and BP Oil
pump stations and airfields. Corporation (now BP Pipelines (Alaska) Inc.), formed to
• Gravel base: 3 feet minimum. develop a plan for construction of a pipeline for Prudhoe
• Length: 120 feet to 7.5 miles. Bay oil.
• Number of roads: 225.
• Width: 28 feet. ALYESKA, Internet Address: www.alyeskapipeline.com.
AIRFIELDS, Operations: Two of the 14 airfields built during ALYESKA, Office Addresses:
The Trans Alaska Pipeline System, or TAPS, construction Anchorage (Corporate Headquarters):
are still in operation: Galbraith Lake (5,200 feet long) and Alyeska Pipeline Service Company
Prospect (5,000 feet long). These two airfields are on 3700 Centerpoint Dr.
federal land and are operated under state leases. Anchorage, AK 99503
ALASKA, Facts: (907) 787-8700
Coastline: 33,900 miles. Toll free: (877) 257-5778
Land area: 586,000 square miles. Mailing address:
Population: 737,625 (2015, Alaska Dept. of Labor). Alyeska Pipeline Service Company
P.O. Box 196660
ALASKA NATIVE PROGRAM: Alyeska created the Alaska Anchorage, AK 99519-6660
Native Program in October 1995 to ensure TAPS owners
fulfill their commitments to the United States as embodied
in Section 29 of the Federal Agreement and Grant of Right-
of-Way. Through the Alaska Native Program, Alyeska is
committed to supporting recruitment, employment, job
counseling, education and training opportunities for Alaska
Native people. See SECTION 29.

4 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 5

 Fairbanks: ALYESKA, Personnel: Approximately 800 Alyeska
Alyeska Pipeline Service Company employees and 1,000 or more contractors operate and
701 Bidwell Ave. maintain the Trans Alaska Pipeline System. On March 31,
Fairbanks, AK 99701 2016, employee demographics were:
Toll free: (877) 257-5778 • 802 Alyeska employees
Mailing address: • Anchorage: 323
Alyeska Pipeline Service Company • Fairbanks: 220
P.O. Box 60469 • Valdez: 259
Fairbanks, AK 99706 • Alaska residents: 94.5 percent, approximately.
SERVS: ALYESKA, Responsibilities: Design, construct, operate
Mailing address: and maintain the Trans Alaska Pipeline System.
Alyeska Pipeline Service Company
ALYESKA TACTICAL OIL SPILL MODEL (ATOM): Software
SERVS (Ship Escort/Response Vessel System)
package specifically designed for oil spill trajectory
P.O. Box 109
modeling in Prince William Sound. ATOM is used to:
Valdez, AK 99686
• Forecast path of oil, based on real weather input.
Toll free: (877) 257-5778
• Show wildlife impact potential and other sensitivities
Valdez Marine Terminal: such as recreational sites, commercial fishing areas and
Mailing address: shoreline types.
Alyeska Pipeline Service Company • Show locations of Prince William Sound communities and
P.O. Box 300 hatcheries.
Valdez, AK 99686
ANIMAL CROSSINGS, Mainline: The purpose is to allow for
Toll free: (877) 257-5778
free movement of big game animals (caribou, moose, etc.)
Washington, D.C.:
across the pipeline right-of-way. Approximately 579 animal
Alyeska Pipeline Service Company
crossings are incorporated into TAPS, including:
1667 K St., N.W., Suite 430
• Elevated: 554 (minimum height 10 feet).
Washington, D.C. 20006
• Buried: 23.
(202) 466-3866
• Buried, Refrigerated: 2 (MP 645 and MP 649).
ALYESKA, Owners: The consortium of companies
that owns TAPS. For a complete list, see
www.alyeskapipeline.com.

6 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 7

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ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY, Preconstruction: The entire
TAPS route was surveyed by the University of Alaska and
Alaska Methodist University under contract to Alyeska. The
survey, which cost approximately $2.2 million, resulted in
the excavation of approximately 330 sites.
ARCS (Alternate Route Communications System): A BALLAST WATER TREATMENT (BWT): The Valdez Marine
private radio network used by TAPS technicians for voice Terminal treats tanker ballast water to remove oil.
communications in remote locations. • Average ballast water treated: 28,000 bbl/day.
ATIGUN AWARDS: First awarded in 2014, these awards • Capacity of system: 8,600 bbl/hour.
recognize employees, contractors and teams for excellent • Crude oil recovered from ballast: 150 bbl/day average.
performance in five categories: Environment; Health and • Purity standards: 0.73 parts per million aromatic
Safety; Innovation; Integrity; and Teamwork. Awards are hydrocarbons (Permitted Daily Maximum).
also given to individuals for Professionalism and Lifetime BALLAST WATER TREATMENT (BWT) FACILITY: Major
Achievement on TAPS. components:
• Biological treatment tanks: One aboveground concrete
tank with a capacity of 5.5 million gallons.
• Diffuser line at discharge into Port Valdez: The line
discharges at a maximum depth of 300 feet at a distance of
700 to 1,050 feet offshore.
• Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) Units: Two cells, each 144
feet long, 24 feet wide and 12 feet deep.
• Piping from berths to tanks: 42-inch diameter.
• Time required for treatment: 28 hours average.
• Settling tanks: Two tanks with capacity of 430,000 bbl
each, 53 feet 6 inches high and 250 feet in diameter.
• BETX air strippers: Four with a capacity of 1100 gpm
(gallons per minute) each.
• Regenerative thermal oxidizers: Two with a capacity of
11,000 cfm (cubic feet per minute) each.
BARREL, Crude Oil: The normal unit of measurement for

8 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 9

 C
crude oil: 1 bbl = 42 gallons; 310.9 pounds per bbl.
BERTHS, Valdez Marine Terminal: Four berths were built
at the terminal: Berth 1 (floating platform with 13 buoyancy
chambers and weighing 6.5 million pounds) and Berths 3,
4 and 5 (fixed platform). Berth 1 and Berth 3 are now out of
service. Berths 4 and 5 are equipped with vapor-recovery COLUMBIA GLACIER: Tidewater glacier in the northeast
arms, and as such, are the only active berths on the corner of Prince William Sound, at the head of Columbia
Terminal. All the loading and vapor arms on Berth 4 were Bay.
replaced in an overhaul in 2014. The loading and vapor arms • Impact on tankers: When the captain of the port
on Berth 5 are planned for replacement in 2016. determines hazardous ice conditions exist in Valdez Arm,
BIRD SPECIES: More than 170 identified along the TAPS the Valdez Narrows ice routing measures are placed
route. into effect in accordance with the Prince William Sound
Vessel Escort Response Plan.
BRIDGE, Yukon River: Located at MP 353.3.
• Construction dates: 1974-1975. COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM: The primary communications
• Cost: $30 million (Owners’ share approximately $10 system uses microwave, which is backed up by satellite.
million). COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM, Central: Backbone
• Dimensions: 2,295 feet long; road deck 30 feet wide; grade communication system, remote gate valve (RGV), ARCS.
5.99°. Control systems are provided for supervisory control and
• Name: Bridge officially named E.L. Patton Yukon River telemetering, seismic monitoring, and monitoring and
Bridge by Alaska Legislature in 1982, after E.L. Patton, control of RGVs.
President of Alyeska during pipeline construction. A
monument to E.L. Patton was dedicated in October 1982. COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM, Enterprise Data Services:
• Opening date: October 1979. Voice, data, video, cable TV enterprise data services are
• River width: 1,900 feet, typical. provided for business systems. The primary data system
uses fiber optics, which is backed up by satellite.
BRIDGES, Pipeline: 13 total along TAPS.
CONCRETE WEIGHTS:
BRIDGES, Road: 21 north of Yukon; 23 south of Yukon. • Pipe coating: Used at river crossings; weight 75,000
CARIBOU: TAPS crosses the ranges of the Central Arctic pounds per 40-foot section.
Herd on the North Slope and the Nelchina Herd in the • Saddles: Used in floodplains; weight 18,500 pounds each.
Copper River Basin.

10 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 11

CONSTRUCTION, Airfields: June 20, 1977) to complete pipeline, pump stations, roads
• Seven, 2,500 to 3,000 feet long. and terminal.
• Seven, 5,000 feet long (Galbraith Lake and Prospect CONSTRUCTION, Time for Preconstruction Effort: 6 years,
continue to be used by TAPS). approximately.
CONSTRUCTION, Camps: CONSTRUCTION, Welding: See WELDS, Pipe.
• Largest camp: Valdez Marine Terminal, 3,480 beds.
• Largest pipeline camp: Isabel Pass, 1,652 beds. CONSTRUCTION, Workforce:
• Number, 1974 to 1977: 29 total. • Minority hire: Ranged from 14 percent to 19 percent.
• Smallest pipeline camp: Sourdough, 112 beds. • Peak, contractors only: 21,600.
• Peak, total: 28,072 in October 1975 (Alyeska employees
CONSTRUCTION, Contractors and Subcontractors: 2,000, and contractors).
approximately. • Total for project: 70,000 approximately (1969-1977).
CONSTRUCTION, Cost: Approximately $8 billion for • Women: Ranged from 5-10 percent.
entire system, including terminal and pump stations, at CONTINGENCY PLANS: A Contingency Plan (C-Plan) is
conclusion of initial construction period in 1977. Does a regulatory document that outlines commitments to
not include interest on capital investment or capital specific oil spill response and preparedness scenarios. It
construction after 1977. is approved by the Alaska Department of Environmental
CONSTRUCTION, Ditch: See DITCH, Buried Pipeline. Conservation. The plan is renewed every 5 years, when
it is updated by Alyeska and then subjected to a lengthy
CONSTRUCTION, Hydrostatic Testing:
public review when interest groups and individuals submit
• Maximum: equivalent to 96 percent of specified minimum
comments. Alyeska prepares three separate C-Plans, one
yield strength.
for the pipeline, one for the Valdez Marine Terminal, and
• Minimum: 125 percent of operating pressure or 750 psi,
one for Prince William Sound (also known as the Tanker
whichever was greater.
C-Plan.) The oil shipping companies are responsible for the
CONSTRUCTION, Materials:
Tanker C-Plan, however Alyeska is considered the subject
• Gravel for entire project: 73 million cubic yards.
matter expert and co-authors the document.
• Gravel for work pad: 32 million cubic yards.
• Largest piece shipped: Floating tanker berth (3,250 tons). CROSSINGS, Refrigerated, Road: The buried pipeline
• Shipped to Alaska: 3 million tons, approximately. crossing of the Glenn Highway at Glennallen is
refrigerated.
CONSTRUCTION, Time: 3 years, 2 months (April 29, 1974 to

12 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 13

 CRUDE OIL: A fluid made up of various hydrocarbon
components, natural gas liquids and fixed gases.
CRUDE OIL, API Gravity: 33.4° API at 60 F for North Slope
crude oil.
CRUDE OIL, TAPS:
• Temperature in March 2016: 110 F at injection into
pipeline at PS 1. Approximately 51 F at the Terminal.
• Throughput (March 2016): 544,445 bbl/day = 22,685 bbl/
hour = 15,880 gallons/minute.
• Travel time in March 2016: 16.4 days from PS 1 to the
TERMINAL .
• Velocity: 2 mph in pipeline.
• Weight: 301.8 pounds/bbl; 6.63 bbl/ton.
CULTURAL ATTRIBUTES, Alyeska: Alyeska Pipeline
Service Company has defined five cultural attributes.
These attributes are recognized and reinforced throughout
the company as important in safe day-to-day operations
and critical to future success. They are:
• Take a system view: Acting and making decisions while
considering risk and/or impact on the success of the total
system.
• Make sound decisions: Make timely decisions with
the right people, right data, right processes, and the
right focus.
• Learn, improve, innovate: Seek to learn from
experiences, overcome challenges and enhance the way
employees do business.

Atigun Construction Camp was one of 30 camps operating during pipeline construction.
The buildings were removed and the site was revegetated in 1978.

14 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 15

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• Speak up, step up: Spot opportunities, share ideas and
concerns, and take action on solutions.
• Act with discipline: Commit to high standards and
consistency in work on TAPS.

DALTON HIGHWAY (Formerly North Slope Haul Road):

James B. Dalton Highway is the name applied by the state
in 1981 to 415 miles of roadway, including the North Slope
Haul Road and the 57-mile road from the Yukon River to
Livengood, constructed by Alyeska in the winter of 1969-70.
This section of road was originally 56 miles, but one mile
was added after realignment by the state at Livengood
in 1981. James B. Dalton was a native-born Alaskan and
graduate mining engineer who supervised construction of
the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line in Alaska. He was
an expert in Arctic engineering and logistics and served
as a consultant in early oil exploration in northern Alaska,
pioneering winter trails for heavy equipment transport.
The following information about the highway is current as
of construction:
• Bridges, permanent: 20.
• Grade: 12 percent maximum.
• Gravel used: 32 million cubic yards.
DALTON HIGHWAY, Haul Road Portion: See HAUL ROAD.
DALTON HIGHWAY, Ownership: Originally Alyeska; control
transferred to the state in October 1978.
DAMAGE PREVENTION PROGRAM: Alyeska Pipeline
operators continually seek to reduce the risk of accidental
releases through its public awareness and damage

16 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 17

prevention programs. Alyeska participates in the 811 “Call • Belowground (special burial): About 4 miles (see PIPE,
Before You Dig” program and regularly communicates with Special Burial). Where thaw-unstable permafrost
land owners, excavators and emergency responders who was found, but where the pipeline had to be buried for
live and work within the pipeline corridor. highway, animal crossing, or avoidance of rockslides and
DEADWEIGHT TONS (dwt): A unit of measure for the avalanches, the permafrost was protected from the heat
weight of tanker cargo; dwt x 7 = number of barrels, of the pipeline by insulation around the pipeline. Some
approximately. special burials include ground refrigeration systems
along with pipe insulations. Special burial locations:
DESIGN MODES, Selection: Soil sampling and other means - Atigun Pass: Two sections (about 1 mile) were
were used to determine soil types along the route. Where buried in insulated boxes to provide protection from
thaw-stable soils were found, the pipeline was buried in rockslides and avalanches.
the conventional manner. In areas of thaw-unstable soils, - MP 645-649: Caribou crossing.
and where heat from the pipeline might cause thawing and - MP 653: Caribou crossing.
consequent loss of soil foundation stability, the pipeline - MP 681: Crossing of Glenn Highway.
was insulated and elevated aboveground by means of - 23 Animal Crossings (all animal crossings are special
a unique support system (see VERTICAL SUPPORT burial).
MEMBERS). To allow animals to cross, 23 sections were
buried line-wide, each about 200 feet long. DIGITAL STRONG MOTION ACCELEROGRAPH (DSMA):
Field instrument to evaluate pipeline motion caused by
DESIGN MODES, Types: earthquakes (see EARTHQUAKE, DSMAs). Pipe is wrapped
• Aboveground: 420 miles (see VERTICAL SUPPORT before being placed in the trench during construction.
MEMBERS). Where thaw-unstable permafrost was
encountered, problems associated with melting DISCHARGE PRESSURE: Pressure of the oil leaving a
permafrost were avoided by placing the pipeline pump station.
aboveground on an elevated support system. VSMs DITCH, Buried Pipeline: 8 feet wide, 8 feet deep,
(pilings) were designed to resist frost-jacking forces and approximately, but variable for overburden depth, which
support the line. ranged from 3 to 35 feet.
• Belowground (conventional): 376 miles. Where either
unfrozen or thaw-stable permafrost was encountered,
the pipeline was buried in the conventional manner
with no special provisions for permafrost (see PIPE,
Belowground (Conventional)).

18 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 19

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DRAG REDUCING AGENT (DRA): A long-chain hydrocarbon
polymer injected into the oil to reduce the friction due to
turbulence in the oil. In today’s operating climate, DRA
is periodically used to facilitate ramping up to higher
throughputs while running Inline Inspection Tools, and
during other operational activities.
EARTHQUAKE, Denali Fault, November 3, 2002: The pipeline
withstood a magnitude 7.9 Richter Scale earthquake that
was centered along the Denali Fault in Interior Alaska,
approximately 50 miles west of the pipeline. The ground
along the fault moved an estimated 18 feet horizontally and
nearly 2.5 feet vertically. The quake was the largest on the
Denali Fault since at least 1912 and among the strongest
earthquakes recorded in North America in the last 100
years.
EARTHQUAKE, Design Magnitude: The pipeline is designed
to withstand a maximum 8.5 Richter Scale earthquake at
the Denali Fault. The range is 5.5 to 8.5, depending on the
area. The seismic design of TAPS includes two levels of
earthquake hazards: the design contingency earthquakes
(DCE) and the design operating earthquakes (DOE). The
DCE corresponds to the design earthquake magnitude and
may interrupt operations, but not compromise the pipe. The
DOE is a lower-intensity earthquake that has ground motion
amplitudes one-half those of a DCE. Operations should be
able to continue following a DCE.
EARTHQUAKE, Design Movement: Maximum movement of
pipe at pipeline crossing of major faults:
• Denali Fault: 20 feet lateral, 5 feet vertical.
• McGinnis Glacier Fault: 8 feet lateral, 6 feet vertical.
• Donnelly Dome Fault: 3 feet lateral, 10 feet vertical.
• Minor Potential Faults: 2 feet lateral, 2 feet vertical.
20 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 21
EARTHQUAKE, DSMAs: The instrumentation at field and maintenance. The project focuses on creating more
locations consists of accelerometers mounted on concrete efficient operations while maintaining or enhancing safety,
pads which measure strong ground motions in three operational integrity and environmental performance.
directions (tri-axial) and are connected to a digital strong The system is modular and scalable and with flexibility for
motion accelerograph (DSMA). The DSMA, generally future increases or decreases in throughput. As of March
located in the pump station control room, processes the 2016, pump stations 1, 3, 4 and 9 were operating on new
signals from the accelerometers in real time and reports pumps, with some final work at PS 1 continuing.
alarms and selected data to the central processor at the EMERGENCY RESPONSE: TAPS personnel train year-
Operations Control Center (OCC). round to respond to emergencies, including oil spills.
EARTHQUAKE, Faults Crossed by Pipeline: Denali, Requirements for response capabilities are outlined in
McGinnis Glacier and Donnelly Dome. three oil spill contingency plans (see CONTINGENCY
PLAN). As part of Alyeska’s response strategy, employees
EARTHQUAKE, Monitoring System (EMS): Alyeska’s EMS
are trained to fulfill roles in both the Incident Management
consists of sensing and processing instruments at PS
Team (IMT) and the Crisis Management Team (IMT).
1, at all pump stations south of Atigun Pass and at the
• CMT: The CMT’s objective is to prevent an internal or
TERMINAL. A central processing unit at the OCC is linked
external event from creating a crisis situation. The
to the pipeline and terminal operator consoles. The EMS
team is focused on business continuity, while providing
is specifically designed to process strong ground motions,
other assistance so the IMT can focus on managing the
to interpolate or extrapolate estimates of earthquake
incident.
accelerations between the sensing instruments, and to
• IMT: The IMT is a universal organization with common
prepare a mile-by-mile report comparing the estimated
terminology, structure and roles that forms to manage
accelerations along the pipeline with the pipeline seismic
an incident. The IMT often includes representatives from
design criteria. Field instrumentation consists of DSMAs
many different agencies.
(see EARTHQUAKE, DSMA).
EARTHQUAKE, Lateral Movement for Aboveground
Pipeline: 2 feet maximum (predicted).
ELECTRIFICATION AND AUTOMATION (E&A):
Electrification and Automation (previously called “Strategic
Reconfiguration” or “SR”) refers to Alyeska’s overall
renewal of assets. Work began in 2001 and concentrated on
reducing physical infrastructure and simplifying operations

22 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 23

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ENHANCED TRACTOR TUGS (ETT): Nanuq and Tan’erliq
(Alaska Native words for “polar bear” and “black bear”).
Designed for tethered tanker escort and oil spill response
operations. The 153-foot vessels enhance SERVS’ ability to
assist a disabled tanker. The state-of-the-art vessels have
exceptional maneuverability and were deployed in 1999.
• Crew: Seven trained response personnel. FATALITIES, Construction: 32 incidents directly related to
• Firefighting: ABS Class 1 firefighting rating that includes construction (includes employees of Alyeska, contractors
pumps, monitors, foam and vessel spray system. and subcontractors; excludes common carriers).
• Propulsion: Voith Schneider system; 10,192 hp. FATALITIES, Operations: Nine operations-related
• Spill response equipment: incidents (includes employees of Alyeska, contractors and
– 3,300 feet of oil containment boom. subcontractors):
– DESMI skimmers. • July 1977: PS 8 explosion.
– 70,000 gallons of recovered oil storage capacity. • September 1977: Chandalar Camp heavy equipment
– Dispersant spray arm systems. accident.
• November 1978: PS 8 snow-clearing accident.
• December 1984: Valdez Marine Terminal heavy
equipment accident.
• August 1985: Charter aircraft accident, Glennallen.
• 1987: Security helicopter accident, Keystone Canyon.
• March 1997: Vehicle accident, Haul Road.
• August 2000: Vehicle accident, Valdez Marine Terminal.
• April 2006: Tug operations accident, SERVS.
FISH, Species: 34 identified in waters crossed by
the pipeline.
FUEL GAS LINE: Carries natural gas from North Slope
fields to fuel pump stations north of the Brooks Range.
Generally parallels mainline crude oil pipeline, from
The Tan’erliq (far right), one of two enhanced tractor tugs at the Valdez Marine Terminal. Prudhoe Bay to PS 4.

24 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 25

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• Compressors: Two 1,200-hp gas turbine compressors at
PS 1 boost gas pressure from approximately 600 psi to
1,100 psi.
• Diameter: 10 inches from PS 1 to MP 34 (34 miles); 8
inches from MP 34 to PS 4 (115 miles).
• Gas temperature: 30 F, maximum (leaving PS 1).
• Length: 149 miles. GABIONS AND CONCRETE MATS: Used in Atigun
• Pressure Design: 1,335 psi. Operating: 1,090 psi, Floodplain Pipe Replacement Project as cover on pipe in
maximum currently. shallow burial area for protection from natural erosion
and scouring. A gabion is a metal cage filled with rock;
Gabions are used to stabilize banks.
• Gabions: 31,750 feet.
• Concrete mats: 9,525 feet.
GRADE, Maximum on TAPS Route: 145 percent (55°) at
Thompson Pass.

26 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 27

H
HAUL ROAD: Portion of Dalton Highway from the Yukon INSULATION, Thickness:
I
River to Prudhoe Bay. Built by Alyeska. • Elevated pipeline: 3.75 inches thick.
• Cost: $125 million, approximately.
• Refrigerated belowground pipeline: 3.2 inches thick.
• Dates: Started April 29, 1974; completed and dedicated
• Under gravel workpad or road: 2 to 4 inches.
September 29, 1974.
• Labor: 3 million hours. INTEGRITY MANAGEMENT PLAN (IMP): Integrity
• Time: 154 days. management comprises all activities that monitor and
• Length: 358 miles (Yukon River to Prudhoe Bay). maintain the integrity of all hydrocarbon handling facilities
on TAPS. The purpose of IMP is to protect the environment
HEAT PIPES: These self-contained passive refrigeration by preventing oil spills, comply with all laws and regulations,
devices contain anhydrous ammonia or carbon dioxide gas maintain facilities within industry standards, and monitor
under pressure which vaporize at temperatures just below
and mitigate integrity risks.
freezing, rise and condense at radiators aboveground when
the air temperature is well below freezing. This process
transfers ground heat into the air during cold periods,
thereby lowering the ground temperature to ensure thaw
unstable soils remain frozen throughout the summer to
steadily support the pipeline. There are 124,300 individual
heat pipes along the pipeline (see VERTICAL SUPPORT
MEMBERS).

28 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 29

J
JOINT PIPELINE OFFICE (JPO): The JPO is a consortium
L
LAND, Municipal Jurisdiction: Approximate pipeline length
of federal and state agencies. The agencies include the in each jurisdiction, north to south:
State of Alaska Departments of Natural Resources, • North Slope Borough: 179.2 miles.
Environmental Conservation, Fish and Game, Labor and • Fairbanks North Slope Borough: 89.1 miles.
Workplace Development, Transportation Public Facilities, • City of Delta Junction: 5.5 miles.
and Public Safety, Division of Fire Prevention; and, on the • City of Valdez: 20.8 miles.
federal side, The Bureau of Land Management, the U.S.
LAND OWNERSHIP, Area: Approximate area for all of TAPS
Department of Transportation/Office of Pipeline Safety,
(18.4 square miles total):
Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of
• State government: 7.79 square miles.
Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard, and Minerals Management
• Federal government: 6.27 square miles.
Service. The JPO has employees with offices in Anchorage,
• Owner companies: 2.9 square miles.
Fairbanks and Valdez. See REGULATORY AGENCIES.
• Private: 1.41 square miles.
LAND OWNERSHIP, Owner: Approximate pipeline length
for each ownership category (800 miles total):
• Federal government: 376 miles.
• State government: 344 miles.
• Private: 80 miles (including 51 miles on Alaska Native
corporation land).
LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM: Provides detection and
location of oil spills. TAPS has three independent systems:
• Line Volume Balance (LVB), which compares the volume
of oil entering the line with the volume leaving it.

30 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 31

 M
• Transient Volume Balance (TVB), which compares
reported flow with calculated flow and can identify the
probable location of a leak by pipeline section.
• Alarms which signal deviations in pressure, flow or flow
rate balance.
LINEFILL: The oil necessary to fill the pipeline to start
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE OPERATING PRESSURE: A rating
the pumps in a mechanically sound manner. At a
indicating the maximum pressure at which a pipeline
throughput of 0.935 million bbl per day, the linefill
or segment of a pipeline may be operated under U.S.
volume is 9,059,622 bbl.
Department of Transportation regulations in normal
conditions. Also called “pressure rating.”
MOUNTAIN RANGES, Crossed by Pipeline: Brooks Range,
Alaska Range and Chugach Range.
MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS: See OIL SPILL RESPONSE,
Mutual Aid Agreements.

32 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 33

N
NORTH SLOPE, Environment: A nearly flat, treeless plain, OIL SPILL CONTINGENCY PLAN, Pipeline: TAPS Pipeline
O
covering about 88,000 square miles extending from the Oil Discharge Prevention and Contingency Plan:
foothills of the Brooks Mountain Range to the Arctic Ocean.
• Containment Sites: 223 designated sites on or
For 56 days in winter, the sun never rises. Winter twilight
near drainages along TAPS. Criteria for selection:
provides sufficient light for driving without headlights
accessibility, river velocity, river channel configuration,
during the day. Winter temperatures drop to minus 60
environmental sensitivity. Equipment stored at
F. Wind chill factor may fall as low as minus 135 F. From
containment sites varies per site and includes oil spill
mid-April to mid-August, there is daylight 24 hours a day.
equipment, concrete anchors, and/or dam kits.
Summer temperatures climb to 70 F and higher.
• Equipment: Varies by response facility. Total inventory
NORTH SLOPE, Oil Discovery: Exploratory drilling on available includes the following:
the North Slope continued for more than 20 years. Many – Vessels (jet boats, airboats, rafts, landing craft): 35.
unsuccessful exploratory wells were drilled and many – Boom, containment: 48,500 feet.
companies gave up the search before the Prudhoe – Boom, fire: 2,150 feet.
Bay Discovery Well was drilled by Atlantic Richfield – Vacuum trucks: 11.
Company and Humble Oil and Refining Company in 1967. A • Leak Detection: Four systems
confirmation well the following year proved the discovery (see LEAK DETECTION SYSTEMS).
of the large oil and gas reservoir. • Personnel:
NOTICES TO PROCEED, Construction: 465 federal and – Pipeline personnel trained in oil spill response.
Each response facility has 24-hour oil spill
403 state notices to proceed were required from the
response capabilities.
Federal Alaska Pipeline Office and the State Pipeline
– Drills: Field drills are conducted to evaluate
Coordinator’s Office.
preparedness to react to an oil spill. The drills permit
evaluation of the training program, particularly oil
spill skills such as reconnaissance, assessment and
response.

34 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 35

 – Training: Consists of a five-day academy for new • Personnel: Oil spill response crews trained to conduct
employees and a two-day refresher for existing land and water response operations are available 24
employees. hours a day.
• Equipment: The following equipment is stored in Prince
OIL SPILL CONTINGENCY PLAN, Tankers: Tankers
William Sound:
transiting Prince William Sound are required by the state to
– Barges: Seven barges (700,000 bbl, approximately, for
have oil spill contingency plans. The Prince William Sound
recovered oil); 1 flat-deck barge with sensitive-area
Tanker Oil Discharge Prevention and Contingency Plan is a
protection boom (serves as on-water staging location).
required part of each tanker’s individual contingency plan.
– Boom: 50 miles of various types of containment and
Alyeska Pipeline/SERVS is the primary response action
recovery boom.
contractor responsible for the implementation aspects
– More than 50 major skimming systems and more than
of the tanker plan. The prevention portion of this plan
50 smaller skimming systems with recovery capability
requires that each laden tanker transiting Prince William
of 300,000 barrels of oil within 72 hours.
Sound must be escorted by two vessels, one of which must
– Skimmers, self-propelled: Four total: JBF 6001 (Valdez
be a specially equipped prevention and response vessel
Star) with recovery rate of 2,000 bbl/ hour and storage
or tug. Laden tankers are tethered to escort tugs from the
of 1,310 bbl; JBF 3003 (two units) with recovery rate of
TERMINAL through the Valdez Narrows and Valdez Arm.
571 bbl/hour; and MARCO Class VII with recovery rate
Also included in the plan are speed limits for tankers and
of 1,281 bbl/hour.
weather restrictions. The response portion of the plan
– Tugs: 10.
includes plans for open-water and nearshore shoreline
– Vacuum trucks: Three.
response and support operations.
– Work boats: Six.
OIL SPILL CONTINGENCY PLAN, Terminal: The Valdez • Prevention programs:
Marine Terminal Oil Discharge Prevention and Contingency – Corrosion control programs.
Plan includes a comprehensive prevention plan outlining – Inspection and records.
spill prevention measures taken at the terminal, as well – Medical monitoring.
as a response section describing land and water response – Preventive maintenance.
for spills originating from terminal facilities. A spill from a – Security.
tanker at berth or transiting Port Valdez is covered under – Substance abuse programs.
the Prince William Sound Tanker Oil Discharge Prevention – Tank leak protection.
and Response Plan. Although a spill from a tanker is the – Training programs.
responsibility of the tanker owner, Alyeska provides initial – Transfer procedures.
spill response. – Escort System.
36 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 37
 P
OIL SPILL RESPONSE, Mutual Aid Agreements: An official
agreement to provide equipment and resources for oil spill
response to entities outside of Alyeska such as the United
States Coast Guard.
OPERATIONAL INTEGRITY: An Alyeska program designed
to assure the integrity of the pipeline system is maintained PACKLINE: Oil flow that completely fills a pipeline.
while attaining the highest standards of safety and
environmental protection. PERMAFROST: Any rock or soil material that has remained
below 32 F continuously for two or more years. The two-
OPERATIONS CONTROL CENTER (OCC): The OCC in year minimum stipulation is meant to exclude from the
Anchorage continually monitors the status of all pump definition the overlying ground surface layer which freezes
stations and valves using supervisory control and data every winter and thaws every summer (called the “active
acquisition (SCADA) systems with remote sensors. layer” or “seasonal frost”).
Data such as pressures, flow rates, temperatures, tank
levels and valve positions are recorded and analyzed for PERMAFROST, Affected Areas on TAPS: Approximately
abnormal operations or any indication of a pipeline leak. 75 percent of the line passes through permafrost terrain.
The pipeline controller at the OCC can rectify any abnormal The line traverses the continuous zone on the North Slope
operation by changing settings for pump speed or relief and through the Brooks Range. It then encounters the
valves, or by issuing idle or stop commands to the mainline discontinuous and sporadic zones and passes through
pumps. The OCC controller can also activate remote areas of no permafrost in the immediate vicinity of Valdez.
control valves. The monitoring and analysis systems PERMAFROST, Depth Along Pipeline Route: A few inches
include backup communications equipment to 2,230 feet, approximately.
and computers.
PERMAFROST, Design Solutions: The pipeline design is
based primarily on the soil conditions encountered along
the right-of-way. There are three principle design modes:
aboveground, conventional burial and special burial (see
DESIGN MODES).
PERMAFROST, Problems:
• Frost-heaving: When the active layer freezes, ice forms
and pushes the ground surface upward.

38 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 39

• Frost-jacking: When heaving occurs, if a structure of very little heat may induce thawing.
embedded in the ground is not properly anchored to
PERMAFROST, Zones:
resist such movement, the structure will be forced
• Continuous zone: Permafrost is found almost
upward along with the ground surface. In most cases, everywhere in the zone, as the name implies; includes all
the structure does not return to its original position when of the North Slope.
the active layer thaws during the following summer. • Discontinuous zone: Permafrost is found intermittently;
The net upward movement is called “jacking.” This
includes much of the interior of the state.
phenomenon can occur whenever there is seasonal • Sporadic zone: Permafrost is found in isolated small
freezing and thawing of the active layer and is not limited masses of permanently frozen ground.
to permafrost areas.
• Thaw settlement: Structures founded on “thaw-unstable” PERMANENT LIVING QUARTERS: See PUMP STATIONS,
permafrost may settle if large amounts of ice in the Living Quarters.
permafrost melt. Melting is typically caused by heat PERMITS, Construction: 515 federal and 832 state permits
from the structure or changes to the natural were required to build TAPS.
thermal conditions.
Insulating
PERMAFROST, Types: tundra
4" to 6" thick
• Cold permafrost: Remains below 30 F (may be as low
as 10 F on the North Slope); tolerates introduction of Seasonally
frozen
considerable heat without thawing. active layer
1' to 6'
• Ice-rich: 20 percent to 50 percent visible ice. thick
• Thaw-stable: Permafrost in bedrock, in well-drained,
coarse-grained sediments such as glacial outwash
gravel and in many sand and gravel mixtures. Subsidence
or settlement when thawed is minor, foundation remains
Permafrost
essentially sound. more than
1,000' thick
• Thaw-unstable: Poorly drained, fine-grained soils, in many areas
especially silts and clays. Such soils generally contain
large amounts of ice. The result of thawing can be loss of
Permafrost in Alaska
strength, excessive settlement and so much moisture in
the soil that it flows. Continuous Discontinuous No Permafrost

• Warm permafrost: Remains just below 32 F. The addition

40 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 41

PHILANTHROPY: Philanthropy is vital to Alyeska’s mission easier to pump.
and company culture. Alyeska supports Alaska-based • INSTRUMENTED (SMART) PIG: Instrumented pigs are
nonprofit associations that are focused on areas such as in-line-inspection (ILI) tools called “smart pigs.” The data
health and social services, underserved populations, and they gather allows engineers to recommend intervention
culture. The company annually stages an active United Way before wall loss anomalies become a problem. Alyeska
campaign, with nearly 40 percent of employees donating has been an industry leader in the use of ILI tools, also
to United Way in 2015. Alyeska also supports non-profits doing so before it was mandated by regulations. The UT
through its matching gift and volunteer match programs. and MFL pigs are used to detect and measure corrosion
and metal loss internally and externally on the pipe wall.
PIG: A pig is a mechanical device that is pushed through
These two smart pigs complement each other — UT is a
the pipeline by the oil to perform various operations on
better measurement tool and MFL a better detection tool.
the pipeline without stopping the flow of oil. This process
- Ultrasonic Transducer (UT) pig: This pig uses sound
is referred to as “pigging.” Alyeska runs two basic types
waves to measure the thickness of the steel pipe
or classes of pigs: cleaning and instrumented or “smart.”
wall. The pig knows the speed of sound in steel and
These devices help Alyeska clean and inspect the pipeline
therefore is able to calculate the thickness. The UT pig
to prevent and detect problems. The three basic types
has 512 transducers, each taking 625 readings
of smart pigs are ultrasonic transducer (UT), magnetic
per second.
flux leakage (MFL) and curvature. These pigs are used to
- Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) pig: This type of
periodically inspect for pipeline corrosion and deformation
corrosion tool uses powerful magnets to saturate the
using nondestructive sensor technologies including pipe wall with magnetism. Sensors between the poles
ultrasound and magnetic sensors. As they evaluate the of the magnets detect disturbances caused by metal
data, engineers look for suspect areas and compile a list loss due to corrosion or other mechanical damage.
of specific locations to determine and prioritize integrity The MFL tool has 1,120 sensors to characterize the
investigations through a “corrosion dig,” a physical shape of the disturbance in the magnetic field.
examination of the pipeline. Depending on what the dig - Curvature pig: This tool uses inertial navigation
reveals, the corrective action might be the addition of a technology to measure the position and shape of the
sleeve or a new, higher-quality coating developed since the pipe. This device tells the recorder where the pig is in
pipeline was originally constructed. three-dimensional space every 2 inches. This tool also
• CLEANING PIG: Also known as scraper pigs, these pigs has 64 radius measuring “fingers” arrayed around the
sweep the pipe of built-up wax, water or other solids that pig body to measure the shape of the pipe. This data
precipitate out of the oil stream. They prevent the buildup allows the engineers to monitor dents, ovalities and
of a corrosive environment. Their use also makes the oil wrinkles in the pipe. Engineers also determine where

42 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 43

 the pipe is moving due to settlement or upheaval. This PIG, Frequency: Smart pigs are run every three years.
tool is also called a deformation pig, or a caliper pig. Scraper pigs are run every 6 days (as of early 2016).
• CRAWLER PIG: This tool, a “Remotely Operated Changes to this schedule are made based on
Diagnostic Inspection System” (RODIS), was originally operational needs.
developed for the nuclear industry and more recently
PIPE: The pipe for TAPS was manufactured in Japan (Italy
has been used for natural gas pipelines. Alyeska has
for Atigun floodplain pipe replacement project).
modified and tested the tool for inspecting varying pipe
• Diameter, outside: 48 inches (122 cm).
diameters and configurations. The tool is self-propelled
• Lengths, standard: 40 feet and 60 feet.
(or “crawls”) by remote operation, rather than being
• Pieces required for pipeline: More than 100,000.
pushed by fluid or operated by hand. Alyeska has tested
• Tested to: Maximum axial force of 2.52 million pounds
the unit in pump station piping. In 2016, the plan called
and lateral deflection force of 459,000 pounds before
for continued testing at pump stations.
wrinkling (typical test sample: 31 feet 5 inches).
PIG, Launching/Receiving Facilities: PS 1 (launch only), PS • Thickness, wall: 0.462 inches (466 miles) and 0.562
4 (launch and receive), PS 8 (contingency launch only for inches (334 miles).
smart pigs), PS 9 (launcher and receiver) and the Valdez • Total shipped: 550,000 tons, approximately; 120 shiploads
Marine Terminal (receive only). for original construction; 6 for Atigun Floodplain Pipe
Replacement Project.
• Volumetric displacement: 11,366 bbl/mile (0.462-inch
thickness); 11,270 bbl/mile (0.562-inch thickness).
• Weight: 235 pounds/linear foot (0.462-inch thickness);
285 pounds/linear foot (0.562-inch thickness).
PIPE, Aboveground: Specially designed vertical supports
were placed in drilled holes or driven into the ground.
In warm permafrost (see PERMAFROST) and other
areas where heat might cause undesirable thawing, the
supports contain two, 2-inch diameter pipes called “heat
pipes,” containing anhydrous ammonia, which vaporizes
belowground, and rises and condenses aboveground,
Image courtesy David Predeger
removing ground heat whenever the air temperature is 5 to
A TAPS employee cleans a scraper pig at the Valdez Marine Terminal. Scraper pigs, 10 F cooler than the ground temperature at the base of the
which clean the pipeline and enhance oil flow, are pushed by the oil. heat pipe. Heat is transferred through the walls of the heat
44 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 45
pipes to aluminum radiators atop the pipes (see VERTICAL PIPE, Special Burial, Non-Refrigerated: In areas of thaw-
SUPPORT MEMBERS). unstable soils calling for elevated pipeline construction,
PIPE, Belowground (Conventional): The pipe is underlain but where the pipeline had to be buried for highway
with a layer of fine bedding material and covered with crossings, animal crossings, or avoidance of rockslides and
prepared gravel padding and soil fill material, in a avalanches, the line was insulated to protect the permafrost
ditch from 8 to 16 feet deep in most locations, but up from the heat of the pipeline and buried.
to 49 feet deep at one location. Zinc ribbons, which PIPE, Special Burial, Refrigerated: In some areas the
serve as sacrificial anodes to inhibit corrosion of the line was insulated and buried in a refrigerated ditch.
pipe, are buried alongside the pipeline. (The Atigun Refrigeration plants at each of these points circulate chilled
pipe replacement section, 8.5 miles in length, has four brine through loops of 6-inch diameter pipe to maintain the
magnesium ribbon sacrificial anodes installed). Electrical soil in a stable frozen condition.
currents in the earth’s surface, called “telluric currents”
PIPE SHOES: 39,000, approximately.
and caused by the same phenomenon that generates the
Northern Lights, can be picked up by the pipeline and zinc/ PORT OF VALDEZ: A natural fjord 12 miles long, 2.5 miles
magnesium anodes. The anodes act like grounding rods to wide and up to 800 feet deep, with a tidal range of 12 to
safely return these currents to the earth, reducing the risk 14 feet.
of damage to the pipeline. POWER VAPOR FACILITY: The power generation facility at
the Valdez Marine Terminal.
• Primary plant facilities:
Fill - Three steam boilers each with an output of 175,000
pounds/hour at 600 psi at 750 F.
- Three condensing steam turbine generators each with a
capacity of 12.5 MW at 13.8 kV.
Padding
• Standby systems:
- Two 12-cylinder diesel generators: capacity 6.0
Pipe
MW total.
- Four uninterruptable power supply systems supplied by
125-volt battery bank for essential control equipment.
Bedding PRESSURE, Maximum Operating: 1,180 psi.
Anodes PRESSURE RELIEF STATION: PS 5 re-injects oil drained
46 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 47
down for pressure relief, but does not have mainline empowered by the federal Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to
pumps and does not boost total stream. provide comment on Alyeska’s PWS operations, promoting
PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE: A valve designed to open environmentally safe operation of the Valdez Marine
automatically to relieve pressure and keep it below a Terminal and the TAPS tanker traffic in PWS.
designated level. • Budget: Averages more than $4 million per year
(provided by Alyeska under a signed contract that
PRESSURE SPIKE: A sudden, brief rise in pressure. ensures PWSRCAC’s absolute independence from
PRESSURE SURGE: A pressure spike/excursion moving Alyeska).
through the pipeline at sonic velocity. Produced by a • Members include the Alaska State Chamber of
sudden change in velocity of the moving stream that Commerce; Alaska Wilderness Recreation & Tourism
results from shutting down a pump station or pumping Association; Chugach Alaska Corporation; the cities of
unit, closure of a valve or any other blockage of the Cordova, Homer, Kodiak, Seldovia, Seward, Valdez and
moving stream. Whittier; the communities of Chenega Bay and Tatitlek;
Cordova District Fishermen United; the boroughs of
PREVENTION/RESPONSE TUGS (PRTs): Alert, Attentive and Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak Island; Kodiak Village
Aware. Specifically designed for escorting and response Mayors Association; Oil Spill Region Environmental
service in Prince William Sound. Technology for prevention Coalition; and Prince William Sound Aquaculture
and response missions by powerful ocean-class tugs. Corporation.
Deployed in 2000.
• Size: Approximately 140 feet long. PRUDHOE BAY: A coastal feature of the Beaufort Sea,
• Crew: 7 trained response personnel. approximately 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle and
• Propulsion: Z drives; 10,200 horsepower. 1,300 miles south of the North Pole. Also used generally to
• Firefighting: ABS Class 1 firefighting rating that includes describe a land area of petroleum development of Alaska’s
pumps, monitors, foam and vessel spray systems. North Slope: 18th largest field in the world. Largest field in
• Spill Response Equipment: North America.
- 2,000 feet Kepner Sea Curtain oil containment boom. PUMP STATIONS: Original design called for 12 pump
- 2 DESMI skimmers. stations with four pumps operating at each pump station.
- 2 20-foot Kvichak workboats. PS 11 was never built. PS 5 was built as a relief station.
PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND REGIONAL CITIZENS ADVISORY Eight stations were operating at startup (PS 1, 3, 4, 6, 8,
COUNCIL (PWSRCAC): Independent citizens’ council 9, 10 and 12). PS 8 pump building was destroyed by an
explosion and fire on July 8, 1977, that occurred during
startup; the station was re-commissioned on March 7,
48 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 49
1978. PS 2 was commissioned October 2, 1979; PS 7 was • New onsite control, data gathering and data
commissioned December 1, 1980. transfer systems.
• Upgraded pressure protection and process safety
PUMP STATIONS, Crew: Crews vary per station; typically
six to 25 employees. Personnel include security, command system.
maintenance, technician and safety employees. Shifts are PUMP STATIONS, Fire Systems:
generally one week on/one week off, or two weeks on/two • Airfield rescue and fire training provided at stations
weeks off. with airports.
PUMP STATIONS, Crude Oil Tank Capacity: PS 1: 420,000 • Pump stations with airports have designated fire-fighting
bbl; PS 5: 150,000 bbl; all others: 55,000 bbl. trucks for the airfields.
• Types: Halon, NOVAC, water and foam, dry chemical, wet
PUMP STATIONS, Electrification and Automation (E&A): chemical and carbon dioxide.
Pump Stations 1, 3, 4, and 9 have been upgraded to use
electrical (instead of diesel) power and are now automated PUMP STATIONS, Fuel Requirements: 30,000 to 60,000
(controlled remotely by Operations Control Center (OCC)). gallons per day, average, per station (fuel oil equivalent).
Pump Stations 5 and 7 are using legacy equipment. PUMP STATIONS, Permanent Living Quarters: Permanent
E&A upgrades include: living quarters at PS 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. PS 9 personnel live in
• Three new electrically driven mainline pump/motor nearby communities.
modules or MLUs at each station. PUMP STATIONS, Recirculation: In order to add heat to the
• Power generation modules at PS 1, 3, and 4 which include crude oil, the oil is re-circulated within the pump station.
turbine drivers. This results in additional heat being added to the crude
• Transmission line and substations for power supply from before leaving that pump station.
North Slope Central Power Facility at PS 1 and from
PUMP STATIONS, Power: All stations generate electrical
GVEA at PS 9.
power, with power plants ranging from 1.3 MW at PS 1 to
• Electrical distribution system and modules.
4.7 MW at PS 6, depending on availability of commercial
• Tie-ins and interconnecting crude oil and fuel gas piping
power, presence of topping unit, and/or vapor recovery
and supports. system. PS 8 and 9 also purchase commercial power.
• Essential facilities for cold restart provided or
maintained as appropriate. PUMP STATIONS, Refrigerated Foundations: PS 1, 3, 5
• Upgraded relief control system actuators. and 6.
• Upgraded fire and gas systems.

50 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 51

 R
PUMP STATIONS, Status as of May 2016:
• PS 1, 3, 4 and 9 operating.
• PS 5 operating as relief station.
• PS 7 on warm standby, used in the winter to increase
crude oil temperature.
• PS 2 ramped down July 1, 1997.
• PS 6 ramped down August 8, 1997. REGULATORY AGENCIES: The following agencies have
• PS 8 ramped down June 30, 1996. jurisdiction over various aspects of TAPS. *The asterisk
• PS 10 ramped down July 1, 1996. denotes a member of the Joint Pipeline Office (JPO):
• PS 11 was not built, but has maintenance facilities. • Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation*
• PS 12 ramped down April 1, 2005. • Alaska Department of Fish and Game*
PUMP STATIONS, Turbines: Turbine engines drive the • Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development*
• Alaska Department of Natural Resources*
pumps. See TURBINES.
• Alaska Department of Public Safety
PUMPS, Booster: All pump stations have booster pumps to • Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
move oil from the storage tanks to the mainline. (PS 1 has • Alaska State Fire Marshal*
two mainline booster pumps to boost oil pressure). PS 5 • Regulatory Commission of Alaska
has two injection pumps. • Federal Aviation Administration
• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
RECIRCULATION: See PUMP STATIONS, Recirculation.
• Federal Maritime Commission
• Interstate Commerce Commission
• Local Boroughs and Municipal Governments
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• U.S. Coast Guard
• U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration
• U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land
Management*
• U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and
Health Administration*
• U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of
The pipeline begins at Pump Station 1 in Prudhoe Bay. Pipeline Safety*

52 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 53

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency* individuals must be in possession of a copy of the RUG plus
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service* government issued photo identification to be presented if
• U.S. National Transportation Safety Board requested by TAPS security officer or employee.
RESTORATION, Area Revegetated: Nearly 7,750 acres The ROW was not designed to be used as a roadway and
(through 1997). can be hazardous. Depending upon security conditions,
TAPS work activity or weather, portions of the ROW may be
RESTORATION, Basic Data:
closed to the public. Blocking Alyeska access roads is not
• Area: Approximately 550 acres.
allowed. Hunting, trapping or shooting along the pipeline
• Camps, pad restoration: 14.
ROW is also prohibited.
• Fertilizer used: 5,500 tons.
• Grass seed used: More than 450 tons. RIGHT-OF-WAY WIDTH:
• Seedlings planted: 83,500. • Federal lands: 54 feet (buried pipe); 64 feet
• Soil samples, random: 15,000 to test for regeneration. (elevated pipe).
• Trees transplanted: 24,000. • State lands: 100 feet.
• Private lands: 54 feet to 300 feet.
RESTORATION, Visual Impact Stipulations: See VISUAL
IMPACT STIPULATIONS. ROAD CROSSINGS, Pipeline: 21 north of Yukon River; 23
south. The crossing at the Glenn Highway in Glennallen is
RIGHT-OF-WAY USE GUIDELINE (RUG) PROGRAM: TAPS
refrigerated.
crosses hundreds of tracts of public and private land, has
above and below-ground segments and is designed to
accommodate transportation crossings at documented
public trails. Alyeska adopted a policy for protecting
the safe operation of TAPS and respecting the rights of
public and private landowners along the TAPS ROW while
assuring the public’s right-of-entry under the law.
Alyeska requires those wanting linear use of the ROW or its
numerous access roads to register for permission under
the Right-Of-Way Use Guideline (RUG). Perpendicular
pipeline crossings with vehicles under 1,500 pounds or
non-vehicular, low-impact modes of transportation may
proceed without Alyeska permission. While on the ROW,

54 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 55

S
management processes, ensuring operators integrate
learnings from industry trends, incident findings and
recommendations, regulatory notices and advisories,
internal audits and evaluations or changes in operations.
The result is a comprehensive system that is a catalyst
for safety management and allows for flexible and
SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: Managing a pipeline, like scalable solutions.
other manufacturing and industrial activities, requires a
SAFETY, Philosophy: The management and employees of
systematic approach to conduct safe operations. Alyeska
Alyeska Pipeline Service Company believe that:
is following the recommendation of the U.S National
Transportation Safety Board by adapting the Pipeline • All occupational injuries and illnesses are preventable.
Safety Management System (SMS). This can maximize • All Alyeska personnel have a personal responsibility for
safety performance and serve as a model to risk-prone their own safety and the safety of their co-workers.
industries. SMS provides operators with a structured, • If an employee or contractor observes or knows of an
comprehensive, regular method of assessing risks of unsafe condition(s), he or she will appropriately and
operations, learning from experience and continuously respectfully intervene to mitigate that condition(s). If the
improving pipeline safety. unsafe condition(s) cannot immediately be addressed or
mitigated, it will be immediately reported up the chain
SMS will help a TAPS operators more effectively manage
of command.
all the aspects of pipeline safety through a ten step multi-
• No business objective is so important that it will be
faceted approach.
pursued at the sacrifice of safety.
1. Leadership and management commitment
• Safe conduct is a condition of employment at APSC.
2. Stakeholder engagement
• Safety is an integral part of every job performed on TAPS.
3. Risk management
• APSC will have the best safety performance in
4. Operational controls
the industry.
5. Incident investigation, evaluation and lessons learned
6. Safety assurance These statements represent Alyeska’s fundamental safety
7. Management review and continuous improvement beliefs that are vital to Alyeska’s business. Internalizing
8. Emergency preparedness and response these beliefs will ensure that “nobody gets hurt.”
9. Competence, awareness and training SECTION 29: Prior to the construction of TAPS, Alyeska
10. Documentation and record keeping made a commitment to the Alaska Native community to
Alyeska will incorporate PSMS into its existing safety recruit, train, employ and promote Alaska Natives. This

56 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 57

commitment was defined in Section 29 of the Federal areas: Lake Bay, Cannery Creek, Solomon Gulch, Main Bay,
Agreement and Grant of Right-of-Way for the Trans Alaska Sawmill Bay, Valdez Duck Flats and 10 sensitive areas in
Pipeline System. Section 29 recognizes that Alaska Natives the Port of Valdez.
as landowners, like all private landowners, must be • Others: Naked Island, Port Etches, Whittier, Cordova,
compensated for land use and occupancy. Instead of cash Chenega Bay and Tatitlek.
payments, Alaska Natives opted for jobs and job training
SERVS, Prevention/Response Tugs: See PREVENTION/
opportunities (see ALASKA NATIVE PROGRAM).
RESPONSE TUGS (PRTs).
SERVS (Ship Escort/Response Vessel System): The SERVS, Response Barges: 9.
mission of SERVS, which was established July 10, • Open water barges: 5.
1989, is to prevent oil spills by assisting tankers in safe • Dedicated Nearshore Barge: 1.
navigation through Prince William Sound and to protect the • Lightering Barges: 1.
environment by providing effective response services to • Deck Barge: 1.
the Valdez Marine Terminal and Alaska crude oil shippers • Small Product Storage Barge: 1.
in accordance with oil spill response agreements and • Total storage capacity: More than 900,000 bbl.
plans.
SERVS, Response Centers: Chenega Bay, Cordova,
SERVS, Boom: More than 49.7 miles of various types of oil Tatitlek, Valdez and Whittier.
containment and recovery boom are available at SERVS.
SERVS, Skimmers: Approximately 108 skimming units.
SERVS, Enhanced Tractor Tugs: See ENHANCED TRACTOR • Skimming capacity: Ranges from greater than 2,000 bbl/
TUGS (ETTs). hour to small systems for operating in shallow water.
SERVS, Fishing Vessels: 450+ vessels. • Total recovery capacity: More than 75,000 bbl/hour.
• Valdez Star oil spill recovery vessel: 123-foot vessel with
SERVS, Non-Mechanical Response Equipment:
dynamic-inclined-plane skimming system with a design
• ADDS pack: 2 Airborne Dispersant Delivery Systems;
skimming capacity of 2,000 bbl/hour.
treatment potential: 2,600 bbl/payload.
• Helitask Airborne Dispersant Systems (2): Treatment SERVS, Vessels (Other): SERVS has five vessels besides
potential 4,200 gallons/payload. the PRTs and ETTs. These five include docking tugs and the
• Heli-torch: 2 airborne ignition systems. Endurance, a utility vessel.
• Spill spray: 3 meter-controlled dispersant spray units; SERVS, Wildlife Hazing: Capture and rehabilitation plans
onboard tankage 3,000 gallons concentrate liquid. are in place for spill response support.
SERVS, Pre-staged equipment: Hatcheries and sensitive SHIP ESCORT/RESPONSE VESSEL SYSTEM: See SERVS.
58 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 59
SLACKLINE: Oil flow that does not completely fill a
pipeline.
SOIL SURVEYS, Pre-Construction:
• Bore holes: 3,500, approximately.
• Soil samples: 15,000, approximately.
SPILLS, Reported: The table below lists the yearly totals
for crude oil spills that are reported by regulation to
agencies. These spills include Alyeska and shipper vessel
spills that occurred on TAPS.
STRATEGIC RECONFIGURATION (SR): Strategic
Reconfiguration refers to a project that today is known as
Electrification and Automation (E&A). The project began in
2001 and concentrated on reducing physical infrastructure
and simplifying operations and maintenance. The project’s
focused on creating more efficient operations while
maintaining or enhancing safety, operational integrity
and environmental performance. The system is modular
and scalable and with flexibility for future increases or
decreases in throughput. PS 9 near Delta Junction was
first to receive the upgrade, and came online with new
equipment in February 2007. PS 3 was next, brought online
in December 2007. PS 4 came online in May 2009. PS 1
pumps came online in October 2015, and as of April 2016,
some work cutover work remained at that station.
SUCTION PRESSURE: Pressure of the oil as it enters a
pump station.

60 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 61

 REPORTABLE SPILLS BY YEAR

Amount Amount
Year # of Spills (barrels) Year # of Spills (barrels)
1977 34 1,932 1995 6 2
1978 24 16,013 1996 12 814
1979 43 5,566 1997 5 2
1980 55 3,531 1998 5 .5
1981 32 1,508 1999 4 .07
1982 30 39 2000 3 3.9
1983 17 4 2001 11 6,857
1984 32 78 2002 3 .1
1985 31 27 2003 3 .31
1986 40 38 2004 0 0
1987 37 4 2005 0 0
1988 35 14 2006 3 1.33
1989 26 251,712 2007 4 21.64
1990 31 6.06 2008 1 .10
1991 54 11 2009 2 .93
1992 55 19.5 2010 2 2580.12
1993 65 8.6 2011 4 308.39
1994 44 324 2012 4 5.92
2013 5 1.26
2014 0 0
2015 5 5.33

62 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 63

 TANKER VAPOR CONTROL SYSTEM: Berths 4 and 5 are
T
fitted with vapor recovery arms to collect vapors released
during tanker loading. Operation of the system began in
March 1998.
TANKERS, Aids to Navigation and Safety:
• Major light house, light towers, differential GPS coverage,
radar reflectors, racons, fog signals, buoys, day markers
and strobe beacons.
• The U.S. Coast Guard maintains a vessel traffic service
which includes radio/telephone communications with
vessels, GPS-based transponder surveillance system in
the Gulf of Alaska approaches and Prince William Sound,
and two radar sites providing coverage in Port Valdez, the
Valdez Narrows and Valdez Arm.
• Vessels are escorted through Prince William Sound.
• Ice navigation rules/restrictions and wind restrictions
apply to tanker operations in the Sound.
TANKERS, Alyeska Role: The tankers that carry oil from
the Valdez Marine Terminal are not owned by Alyeska. The
role of Alyeska is to operate the the Terminal and SERVS
Map of Prince William Sound showing tanker lanes, hatcheries and duck flats, response on behalf of the tanker Owners. Alyeska, through SERVS,
centers, pre-staged barge locations that contain spill response equipment, and weather is contracted as a primary response action contractor to
buoys and stations.
provide services in the event or threat of an oil spill from a
tank vessel carrying crude oil that has been transported
by TAPS.

64 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 65

TANKERS, Approach Routes: • Cape Hinchinbrook: When the winds exceed 45 knots or
• Gulf of Alaska to Prince William Sound to Port Valdez, via the seas exceed 15 feet, Hinchinbrook Entrance is closed
Hinchinbrook Entrance following dedicated traffic lanes to laden tankers.
to Valdez Arm and Valdez Narrows. • Glacier ice: The U.S. Coast Guard Prince William Sound
• Hinchinbrook Entrance: 6.4 to 6.8 miles clearance. Vessel Traffic Center may impose ice routing measures
as appropriate. These may include moveable one-way
TANKERS, Classification:
zones, daylight-only restrictions or closure to tankers
• General purpose: Up to 25,000 dwt.
(see also COLUMBIA GLACIER).
• Super tanker: 25,000 to 150,000 dwt.
• Very large crude carrier (VLCC): 150,000 to 300,000 dwt. TANKERS, Number Loaded per Month: 20 average (2015).
• Ultra large crude carrier (ULCC): More than 300,000 dwt. TANKERS, Size that can be Berthed and Loaded: Berths 4
TANKERS, Draft of Largest Tankers: 85 feet. and 5: 270,000 dwt.
TANKERS, Escorts: Outbound laden tankers are escorted TANKERS, Traffic Lanes:
by two tugs from the terminal to Cape Hinchinbrook, a • Depths along: 600 to 1,000 feet average; 350 feet
distance of approximately 77 miles, with one tug remaining minimum (in Valdez Narrows).
on station at Cape Hinchinbrook until the tanker proceeds • Distance separating: 1 mile.
17 miles into the Gulf of Alaska. One of the tugs is attached • Width: 3/4 mile.
(tethered) to the tanker for the first 20 miles to provide • Valdez Narrows: One-way traffic; clearance 1,000 yards
immediate assistance if required. Inbound tankers (in from Middle Rock to southeast shore.
ballast) are provided a standby sentinel escort from the TELLURIC CURRENTS: Electrical currents in the earth’s
Gulf of Alaska to the terminal. Alyeska invested more surface, caused by the same phenomenon that generates
than $75 million in new escort tug technology and tug the Northern Lights.
construction. The cornerstone of the 11-tug escort fleet
includes two 10,000-hp Voith Schneider tractor tugs and THERMAL EXPANSION: Change in pipe length due to
three 10,000-hp Z-drive tugs. The tanker escort system change in crude oil temperature.
in Prince William Sound uses best available technology in • Tie-in temperature: Actual pipe temperatures at the time
accordance with State of Alaska and federal laws. when final welds were made which joined strings of pipe
into a continuous line.
TANKERS, Largest Berthed and Loaded to Date: • Hot position: Pipe at maximum oil temperature (145 F).
270,000 dwt. • Cold position: Pipe at minimum steel temperature (minus
TANKERS, Natural Phenomena Affecting Movements: 60 F, pre-startup).
• High winds: The Valdez Narrows is closed to all tanker • Each 40-foot length of pipe expands 0.031 inches with
traffic if the winds exceed 40 knots. each 10 F rise in temperature and contracts the same
66 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 67
 distance with each 10 F drop in temperature. cooled); 24,000 gal/unit/day, average, (non-rim cooled).
• Longitudinal expansion of typical 720-foot straight TURBINES, Power Ratings: (Sea level, 59 F):
aboveground segment from minimum tie-in temperature • Avon gas generator: 24,600 exhaust gas horsepower.
to maximum operating temperature: 9 inches. Note: Due • Reaction turbine: 18,700 brake horsepower (rim cooled);
to anchoring, the pipeline does not expand lengthwise but 15,300 brake horsepower (non-rim cooled).
shifts laterally on the aboveground supports (see ZIGZAG • The only remaining Avon in service is located at PS 7. It
CONFIGURATION). is liquid only fired and used for winter recycle operation.
• Maximum aboveground lateral movement: The unit is currently set up as a non-rim cooled unit.
- Tie-in to hot position: 8 feet.
- Tie-in to cold position: 4 feet. TURBINE GENERATORS, Electrical: PS 1 has one Siemens
• Thermal stress: Maximum 25,000 psi where belowground SGT 400 12.9 MW and one Rolls Royce 401KB7S 5 MW
pipeline is fully restrained by the soil (the maximum turbine generator. PS 3 and PS 4 each have two Siemens
longitudinal stress due to change in temperature from SGT 400 12.9 MW turbine generators. The units provide
pipe temperature at tie-in to maximum oil temperature). electricity to the station for essentials such as heat and
lighting, as well as power for operation of the newer
THROUGHPUT: The amount of North Slope crude oil electrical pumps. At PS 1, both units are natural gas fired.
transported from PS 1 to the Valdez Marine Terminal. At PS 3 and 4, one unit each is fired on natural gas only,
THROUGHPUT, Average (2015): 508,446 bbl/day, or while one unit each can be fired on natural gas or liquid
21,185.2 bbl/hour, or 14,830 gallons/minute. (diesel) fuel. Liquid fuel is only used when the natural gas
line is out of service. At PS 1, the SGT 400 is the normal
THROUGHPUT, History: See table below.
turbine generator in service. The Rolls Royce-powered
THROUGHPUT, Maximum Daily: 1.14 million bbl average turbine generator is a backup, and Prudhoe-area grid
(with four pump stations operating). Rates exceeding power can be imported, if necessary. At PS 3 and 4, one
750,000 bbl require addition of drag reducing agent (DRA). unit at each station is normally in operation during summer
TOPPING UNIT: Mini-refinery that produces turbine fuel. months, and both units are normally in operation at each
Topping units are located at PS 6, 8 and 10, and all are station during the winter months when pump recycle is
being utilized.
ramped down. The unit at PS 10 was ramped down in 1995,
the unit at PS 8 in 1996 and the PS 6 unit in 1997. The fuel consumption of a gas fired Siemens SGT 400 is
about 3.5 million standard cubic feet per day at full load.
TURBINES, Fuel Requirements, Avon:
The fuel consumption for a liquid fired unit operating
• Gas-fired units: 4.3 million standard cubic feet/unit/day,
near full load is about 20,000 gallons per day. A gas fired
average.
Rolls Royce 501KB7S running at full load consumes
• Liquid-fired units: 30,000 gal/unit/day, average, (rim
approximately 1.7 million standard cubic feet per day.

68 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 69

 Daily Yearly Cumulative Daily Yearly Cumulative
Year Average Total Total Year Average Total Total
1977 610,408 112,315,078 112,315,078 2004 935,108 342,249,701 14,683,405,043
1978 1,088,078 397,148,560 509,463,638 2005 891,104 325,252,788 15,008,657,831
1979 1,282,025 467,939,079 977,402,717 2006 759,081 277,064,405 15,285,722,236
1980 1,516,022 554,864,192 1,532,266,909 2007 740,170 270,161,990 15,555,884,226
1981 1,523,368 556,029,380 2,088,296,289 2008 703,551 257,499,836 15,813,384,062
1982 1,619,973 591,290,205 2,679,586,494 2009 672,028 245,290,119 16,058,674,181
1983 1,645,699 600,680,701 3,280,266,701 2010 619,655 226,174,050 16,284,848,231
1984 1,663,353 608,787,098 3,889,053,799 2011 582,895 212,756,749 16,497,604,980
1985 1,780,561 649,904,636 4,538,958,636 2012 547,866 200,518,907 16,698,123,887
1986 1,823,144 665,447,508 5,204,406,144 2013 534,480 195,085,253 16,893,209,140
1987 1,963,770 716,776,052 5,921,182,196 2014 513,441 187,406,088 17,080,615,228
1988 2,032,928 744,051,738 6,665,233,934
1989 1,884,829 687,962,558 7,353,196,492 Data as of May 31, 2016
1990 1,793,082 654,474,774 8,007,671,266 534,953 81,312,836 17,347,510,779
1991 1,822,4623 665,198,902 8,672,870,168
1992 1,746,969 639,390,499 9,312,260,667
1993 1,619,780 591,219,747 9,903,480,414
1994 1,587,459 579,422,667 10,482,903,081
1995 1,522,918 555,864,927 11,038,768,008
1996 1,435,971 525,565,207 11,564,333,215
1997 1,334,293 487,017,022 12,051,350,237
1998 1,206,799 440,481,529 12,491,831,766
1999 1,078,101 393,506,885 12,885,338,651
2000 999,324 365,752,587 13,251,091,238
2001 992,285 362,183,985 13,613,275,223
2002 1,000,916 365,334,233 13,978,609,456
2003 993,276 362,545,886 14,341,155,342

70 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 71

U
ULTIMATE STRENGTH: The stress level at which the pipe VALDEZ MARINE TERMINAL (TERMINAL ): The Terminal,
V
will fail/rupture or “break.” The ultimate strength of the the southern terminus of the trans-Alaska pipeline,
steel is determined by testing during manufacture of is located on ice-free Port Valdez at the northeastern
the pipe. end of Prince William Sound. The Terminal occupies
approximately 1,000 acres on the southern shore of Port
Valdez. The facility was designed to load tankers and to
provide the storage capacity in TAPS to allow production on
the North Slope to operate without impact-related delays
from the marine transportation system. The Terminal
today operates with two tanker loading berths, with 14
storage tanks with a working inventory capacity of 6.6
million barrels (bbl) of crude oil.
VALDEZ MARINE TERMINAL, Cost to Build: $1.4 billion.
VALDEZ MARINE TERMINAL, Elevation: Sea level to 660
feet. All facilities except berths are 15 feet or higher.
VALDEZ MARINE TERMINAL, Emergency Shutoff Valves:
Crude oil loading onto a tanker can be shut down in less
than 10 seconds at loading rates up to 100,000 bbl/hour.
VALDEZ MARINE TERMINAL, Firefighting: Alyeska
Pipeline’s Fire/Rescue Brigade won the overall skills
competition at the Alaska Fire Conference for 15
consecutive years. The team trains annually to provide on-
scene fire, technical rescue and medical response to the
Terminal. The fire brigade’s capabilities and

72 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 73

equipment include:
• Fire boats: 6 (tugs equipped with firefighting equipment).
• 3 industrial fire engines; 1 Squad (rescue truck/ fire
engine pumper); 1 foam tanker, 1 ambulance, 4 mobile
fire response trailers.
• Personnel training: All terminal technicians trained to
incipient level; advanced training for exterior and interior
level fire brigade members; annual refresher for all
three levels.
• Systems: Portable extinguishers, water and foam
systems, Halon, NOVEC.
• The brigade performs rescue stand-by for over 2,000
confined space entries annually.
• The brigade is part of the Source Control team that
provides emergency response to the pipeline.
VALDEZ MARINE TERMINAL, Fuel Requirements: All
terminal and SERVS operations (fuel oil equivalent) 500 Valdez Marine Terminal (VMT).
bbl/day, average.
VALDEZ MARINE TERMINAL, Holding Tanks (Crude)
VALDEZ MARINE TERMINAL, Holding Tanks (Crude):
Containment Dikes:
• Capacity: 510,000 bbl each; 9.18 million bbl total volume.
• Capacity: 110 percent capacity of both tanks, which
• Dimensions: Height 63.3 feet, diameter 250 feet.
accounts for water and snow accumulation.
• Floor thickness: 1/4-inch steel plate (on concrete
• Number of tanks in each: 2.
ring wall).
• Reinforcing steel: 52 miles in each, diameter 1/2 to
• In service: Fourteen.
3/8 inch.
• Number: 18.
• Roof: Fixed, conical. VALDEZ MARINE TERMINAL, Stack Heights: Boiler, 300
• Roof supports: 61 columns, 24 inches in diameter. feet; incinerators (four) 108 feet.
• Slosh zone: 3 feet, 9 inches. VALDEZ MARINE TERMINAL, Tanker Vapor Control
• Space enclosed: 1.2 acres each, approximately. System: See TANKER VAPOR CONTROL SYSTEM.
• Wall thickness: Graduated from 1-1/8 inch steel bottom
ring, to 1/2 inch top ring. VALDEZ MARINE TERMINAL, Vapor Recovery: Five rotary

74 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 75

compressors each rate at 13,500 standard cubic feet/ oil stream, reducing turbulence. Actuators fitted to these
minute. Two compressors are dedicated to recovering valves receive signals from flow or pressure sensors to
vapors from storage tanks, two compressors dedicated drop the valve clappers free. Once the clappers have been
to recovering vapors from tanker berths and one swing released, the actuated check valve functions as a normal
compressor that can provide either function. check valve to stop flow reversal. Approximately one-
half of the mainline check valves are fitted with hydraulic
VALDEZ NARROWS, Clearance: 1,000 yards: Middle Rock
actuators. The remainder have manual actuators only.
to southeast shore.
VALVE, Pipeline:
VALVE, Block: When closed, the valve can block oil flow in
• Check: 83.
either direction. Block valves include manual gate valves,
• Gate: 71 (62 remotely operated, 9 manually operated).
remote gate valves, and station block valves (suction valves
• Block: 24.
and discharge valves).
• Total: 178.
• Manual gate valve: Block valve that is operated manually;
placed in check valve segments periodically to provide VALVE, Pressure Relief: A valve designed to open
more positive isolation than can be provided by check automatically to relieve pressure and keep it below a
valves during pipeline maintenance. designated level.
• Remote gate valve (RGV): A remotely controlled block VALVE REPAIR PROGRAM: The program’s goal is to
valve for the primary purpose of isolating segments of evaluate the conditions of TAPS valves, actuators,
the line in the event of a catastrophic pipeline break. and operators as appropriate and to implement a
Valve operating times are either 4 or 8 minutes to fully comprehensive maintenance program to ensure long-term
open or fully close. system integrity.
• Station block valve: A gate valve installed at the inlet
VALVES, Pump Stations and Terminal:
(suction) side and the outlet (discharge) side of the pump • Size: 2 to 48 inches.
station or terminal to isolate the facility from the pipeline • Design pressure: Varies to meet process conditions.
in the event of an emergency. (Class 150# through Class 2500#).
VALVE, Check: A valve that operates one-way and prevents • Type: Gate, ball, check, plug, etc.
the reverse flow of oil. Check valves are designed to be • Number of motor-operated valves: Approximately 1,000.
held open by flowing oil and to drop closed automatically VAPOR RECOVERY: See VALDEZ MARINE TERMINAL,
when oil flow stops or is reversed. To increase operating Vapor Recovery.
efficiency, some check valves are held fully open
mechanically, thus lifting valve clappers entirely free of the VERTICAL SUPPORT MEMBERS (VSM): Pipe embedded
in the ground to support the aboveground pipe in areas of
76 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 77
thaw-unstable permafrost. Some VSMs contain heat pipes - 300-foot width of undisturbed land along streams.
to remove heat and keep the ground frozen. - 500-foot width required between state highways and
• Number: 78,000. material sites.
• Depth embedded: 15 to 70 feet. - 1/2 mile required between workpads and parks,
• Distance between: Anchor supports, 800 to 1,800 feet; refuges, etc.
standard supports, 60 feet, approximately. • Right-of-way visibility: Maximum straight length
• Number fitted with heat pipes: 61,000 (122,000 individual permitted visible from highway: 600 feet.
heat pipes, 2 per VSM where fitted).
VESSEL OF OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM: Alyeska Pipeline,
through the Ship Escort/Response Vessel System (SERVS),
contracts with more than 400 vessels around Prince
William Sound to provide oil spill response support. The
Vessel of Opportunity program was started in 1990, to
employ local residents in oil spill response, especially
those working in the fishing industry. Today, the boats
and their crews are an integral part of Alyeska’s response
readiness. Every year, vessels of opportunity participate
in rigorous training that lasts several days. Crews spend
time in the classroom learning oil spill and emergency
response basics. Then they head on water for hands-on
experience. They work with SERVS personnel on response
barges to load up their own boats with equipment, and
then practice deploying boom, setting up skimmers, and
rehearsing other recovery tactics. Additionally, many
vessels participate in drills and exercises to ensure they
are prepared to respond in case of an actual incident.
Vessel Administrators have offices in Cordova, Whittier,
Kodiak, Homer, Seward and Valdez.
VISUAL IMPACT STIPULATIONS:
• Access roads: 12° maximum allowable grade.
• Buffer strips (undisturbed land):

78 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 79

 W-Z
Map, TAPS

WATERFLOOD: An oil field term referring to a system of

pumping water into the oil reservoir behind the produced
oil to maintain reservoir pressure and ultimately recover
more oil.
WELDS, Pipe:
• Double joints: 42,000 (a “double joint” is two pipe sections
welded into a single length before transport to the field
for placement in the line).
• Field girth welds: 66,000.
• Passes for field girth welds: 7 for 0.562-inch pipe; 6 for
0.462-inch pipe.
YIELD STRENGTH: The stress level above which the pipe
will yield, bend and/or stretch.
ZIGZAG CONFIGURATION: Aboveground sections of
the pipeline are built in a zigzag configuration to allow
for expansion or contraction of the pipe because of
temperature changes. The design also allows for pipeline
movement caused by an earthquake. The Trans Alaska Pipeline System.

80 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 81

HISTORY, TAPS

HISTORY, TAPS
history, TAPS: June 6 TAPS files for federal right-of-way permits over
public lands.
Sept. 13 First 48-inch pipe arrives in Valdez from Japan.
The following is a chronology of significant events during
operations of the Trans Alaska Pipeline System. Oct. 22 Humble Pipe Line, Atlantic Pipeline, and BP Pipeline
are joined by Amerada Hess Corporation, Home
Pipeline Company, Mobil Pipeline Company, Phillips
1968 Petroleum Company and Union Oil Company of
California in joint venture.
Mar. 13 Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) and Humble Oil
and Refining Company (now Exxon Company, U.S.A.) December Road from Livengood to the Yukon River was built
announce Prudhoe Bay discovery well. (winter of 1969-1970).
June 25 Confirmation well announced by ARCO and Humble.
July 29 Pipeline field study team arrives in Alaska under
authority of a transportation subcommittee of an
1970
April Lawsuits are filed by environmental groups and
ARCO-Humble North Slope Coordinating Committee. others to block pipeline construction.
Oct. 28 Atlantic Pipeline Company (a subsidiary of Atlantic Aug. 27 Trans Alaska Pipeline System Agreement made and
Richfield), Humble Pipe Line Company (a subsidiary signed by Atlantic Pipeline Company, BP Pipeline
of Humble Oil and Refining Company), and BP Corporation, Humble Pipe Line Company, Amerada
Exploration U.S.A., Inc. (a subsidiary of British Hess Corporation, Home Pipeline Company, Mobil
Petroleum Company, Ltd.) enter into an “agreement Pipeline Company, Phillips Petroleum Company and
for a planning study and for engineering design and Union Oil Company of California all referred to as
construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Project.” “TAPS Owners.”
Aug. 27 TAPS Owners form Alyeska Pipeline Service
1969 Company, a separate corporation.
Feb. 7 Atlantic Pipeline, Humble Pipe Line and BP Oil Aug. 27 Agreement made to design and construct the
Corporation (formerly BP Exploration U.S.A., Inc.) trans-Alaska pipeline. Alyeska Pipeline Service
approve an amendment to their original agreement, Company appointed as contractor and agent for the
electing to proceed with design and construction, and construction project.
changing the name of the project to “Trans Alaska

1971
Pipeline System.” The acronym “TAPS” is coined.
Feb. 10 Atlantic Pipeline, Humble Pipe Line and BP Pipeline
Corporation (a subsidiary of BP Oil Corporation) Jan. 1 Atlantic Pipeline Company (TAPS Owner) stock
announce plans to build an 800-mile trans-Alaska reissued to ARCO Pipeline Company.
pipeline.

82 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 83

HISTORY, TAPS

HISTORY, TAPS
1973 June 24
June 25
Oil front at PS 3 (12:56 p.m.).
Oil front at PS 4 (7:50 a.m.).
Nov. 16 Trans Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act (TAPAA)
becomes law. June 28 Oil front at PS 5 (6:23 a.m.).
July 1 Oil front at PS 6 (6:30 p.m.).

1974 July 4 Nitrogen leak detected ahead of oil front, MP 489.12

(near PS 8 north block valve). Oil flow stopped.
January Home Pipeline Company (TAPS Owner) stock reissued
to six other oil pipeline companies. July 7 Pipe repair, MP 489.12. Pipe and elbow cracked from
injection of super cooled nitrogen. Pipe replaced.
Jan. 3 Federal right-of-way grant issued.
July 7 Oil front at PS 8 (9:24 p.m.).
Apr. 29 Construction of road from Prudhoe Bay to Yukon River
begins. July 8 PS 8 pump building destroyed by explosion and fire;
one fatality; oil loss, 300 bbl.
May 3 State right-of-way lease issued.
July 19 Oil leak (heavy equipment accident) at CV 7, 1,800 bbl.
Sept. 29 Road from Prudhoe Bay to Yukon River completed.
July 20 Oil front at PS 9 (10:37 a.m.).
Dec. 19 Humble Pipe Line Company (TAPS Owner) stock
reissued to Exxon Pipeline Company. July 22 Oil front at PS 10 (4:46 a.m.).
July 26 Oil front at PS 12 (3:48 a.m.).

1975 July 28 Oil reaches the Terminal (11:02 p.m.).

Mar. 27 First pipe laid at Tonsina River. Aug. 1 ARCO M/V Juneau departs Valdez with first oil.
Oct. 11 Yukon River Bridge completed.
Oct. 26 Pipeline project 50 percent complete. 1978
Feb. 15 Oil spill caused by sabotage at Steele Creek, MP

1977 Feb. 16
457.53, 16,000 bbl.
Pipe repair MP 457.53.
May 20 Operating agreement established between Alyeska
Pipeline Service Company (as agent) to operate and March 7 PS 8 recommissioned (11:05 a.m.).
maintain TAPS on behalf of TAPS Owners.
May 31
June 20
Final pipeline weld near PS 3.
First oil flows from PS 1 (10:26 a.m. AST, pig in trap;
1979
June 10 Oil leak caused by pipe settlement at MP 166.43,
10:27 a.m. AST, pig depart signal). Atigun Pass, 1,500 bbl.

84 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 85

HISTORY, TAPS

HISTORY, TAPS
June 13
June 15
ARCO M/V Heritage, 1,000th tanker to load.
Oil leak caused by pipe settlement at MP 734.16,
1982
4,000 bbl. June 7 RGV 121A, uncommanded closure.

June 19 Pipe repair, MP 734.16. June 19 M/V Philadelphia, 3,000th tanker to load.

July 1 First commercial injection of DRA into pipeline at June 20 5th anniversary of TAPS operations.
PS 1.
Aug. 18 Curvature pig (super pig) stuck in line at CV 29. 1983
Sept. 25 CV 29 opened; stopple and bypass installed; curvature July 21 Three billionth barrel arrives at the Terminal.
pig removed.
Nov. 8 M/V Tonsina, 4,000th tanker to load.
Oct. 2 PS 2 commissioned.
October Yukon River Bridge opened.
1984
Mar. 20
1980
Removal of stuck scraper pig at CV 4 and relocation of
pig trap from PS 5 to PS 4.
Jan. 22 One billionth barrel arrives at the Terminal. Nov. 1 Removal of stuck pig at PS 10.
Feb. 11 Oil leak from leaking valve at the Terminal east tank

May 12
farm, 3,200 bbl.
Oil leak from relief tank valve, 238 bbl.
1985
Jan. 11 M/V Overseas Boston, 5,000th tanker to load.
Sept. 20 Monument to pipeline construction workers dedicated
Mar. 11 Four billionth barrel arrives at the Terminal.
at the TERMINAL .
Apr. 22 MP 200 final tie-in of 48-inch permanent reroute
Dec. 1 PS 7 commissioned.
(404.7 feet added to total pipeline length); reroute due
Dec. 29 M/V Thompson Pass, 2,000th tanker to load. to pipe settlement.
Nov. 2 Milne Point field start-up.
1981 Nov. 9 Two primary generators damaged by fire in generator
room at PS 1.
Jan. 1 Oil leak from drain connection failure at CV
23, 1,500 bbl.
Nov. 10 Two billionth barrel arrives at the Terminal. 1986
Dec. 15 First Kuparuk field oil delivered to PS 1. Mar. 5 ARCO M/V Sag River, 6,000th tanker to load.

86 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 87

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HISTORY, TAPS
Apr. 18 Union Oil Pipeline Company (TAPS Owner) becomes
Unocal Pipeline Company. 1989
Sept. 15 Five billionth barrel arrives at the Terminal. Jan. 3 Oil spill, M/V Thompson Pass, 1,700 bbl; crack in
vessel’s hull.
Nov. 18 “Tee” damaged by scraper pig at PS 10. Tee replaced.
Mar. 1 Sohio Alaska Pipeline Company (TAPS Owner)
Dec. 15 Lisburne field start-up. becomes BP Pipeline (Alaska), Inc.
Dec. 24 Sohio Pipeline Company (TAPS Owner) becomes Mar. 24 Oil spill, M/V Exxon Valdez, 250,000 bbl; vessel runs
Sohio Alaska Pipeline Company. aground at Bligh Reef.
May 27 Texaco M/V Florida, 9,000th tanker to load.
1987 June 1 First ultrasonic corrosion pig run.
Apr. 1 First high-definition corrosion pig run. June 30 Seven billionth barrel arrives at the Terminal.
Apr. 19 M/V Atigun Pass, 7,000th tanker to load. July 10 Ship Escort/Response Vessel System (SERVS)
June 20 10th anniversary of TAPS operations. established for oil spill prevention and response in
Prince William Sound.
Sept. 29 Buckled pipe replaced, Atigun Pass, MP 166.4.
August Feasibility study for Atigun floodplain pipe
Oct. 3 Endicott field start-up. replacement project done to replace 8.5 miles of
mainline pipe between MP 157 and 165.5.

1988
Jan. 1 BP Pipelines, Inc. (TAPS Owner) merged into Sohio 1990
Alaska Pipeline Company (TAPS Owner). Feb. 8 Alyeska and Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council
Jan. 14 Highest daily throughput of 2,145,297 bbl. (RCAC) signed contract.

Feb. 16 Six billionth barrel arrives at the Terminal. June Construction complete on the Terminal incinerator
repair project.
May 2 Chevron M/V Mississippi, 8,000th tanker to load.
June 12 Deadleg repair/replacement, PS 1.
September PS 2 pump manifold pipe replacement
project complete. July 31 Exxon M/V New Orleans, 10,000th tanker to load.

October Atigun Pass releveling project, MP 167; pipe settled Aug. 25 1,000th SERVS escort.
due to erosion of ground below. September PS 3 corrosion repair; station temporarily bypassed.
September Construction begins on 8.5-mile Atigun Floodplain
Pipe Replacement Project.

88 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 89

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HISTORY, TAPS
Sept. 15 Project to inspect, recoat, and reinsulate 1,600 feet of September Tank 111 at PS 1 returned to service after bottom
insulated buried mainline pipe between MP 167.3 and replacement project complete.
167.5 complete.
October Recoating of superstructure for Berths 3 and 4 at the
December First shipment of pipe for Atigun Floodplain Pipe Terminal completed.
Replacement Project arrives in Valdez.
December Completion of new roof for 40,000-square-foot
dissolved air flotation (DAF) building at the Terminal.

1991 Dec. 10 Fuel gas line (north of the Brooks Range) re-leveling
project complete.
Jan. 1 Eight billionth barrel arrives at the Terminal.
Dec. 28 ARCO M/V California, 12,000th tanker to load.
Feb. 28 ARCO Pipeline Company (TAPS Owner) becomes
ARCO Transportation Alaska, Inc.
March Concrete biological treatment tanks (BTT) placed in
service at the Terminal.
1993
Jan. 1 3,000th SERVS escort.
September Atigun Floodplain Pipe Replacement Project
Jan. 20 Petro Star Refinery on-line in Valdez.
completed (MP 157-165.5).
March Construction of new tug dock at the
Oct. 2 M/V Overseas Boston, 11,000th tanker to load.
Terminal complete.
Oct. 14 2,000th SERVS escort.
June PS 10, desalter for pretreating topping unit crude feed
put in service.

1992 June PS 9, mainline pump no. 3 converted to

half-head operation.
January Floor of crude oil storage Tank 5 at the Terminal
replaced and cathodic protection installed. September Recoating of the TERMINAL Berth 5
superstructure complete.
April-May Corrosion repairs to 2.5-mile section of pipe in the
Chandalar Shelf. October Completion of inspection, repair and recoating of last
of 10 storage tanks at the Terminal. This completes
June First run of inertial pipeline pig.
the initial inspection of all major storage tanks at
June 20 15th anniversary of TAPS operations. the Terminal.
July 7 Nine billionth barrel arrives at the Terminal. Dec. 10 Fuel gas line pig launcher installed at MP 34.
July 30 Full-scale aerial dispersant test in
Prince William Sound.
Aug. 7 RGV 73 uncommanded closure, overpressuring
the pipeline.

90 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 91

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HISTORY, TAPS
1994 Apr. 20
Apr. 25
Oil leak at CV 92 discovered, 800 bbl released.
CV 92 leak repair begins.
March Tank 209 at PS 10 leaks 3,500 gallons of residual oil in
tank farm. June 30 PS 8 placed in ramped down status.
Mar. 5 10 billionth barrel arrives at the Terminal. July 1 PS 10 topping unit placed in ramped down status.
May 13 ARCO M/V Texas, 13,000th tanker to load. August Pressure pulsations felt in Thompson Pass created by
slackline condition.
June 18 4,000th SERVS escort.
Sept. 17 Alyeska investigates pipe vibrations near pipeline
July 5 Alyeska selects method of tanker vapor control at MP 776.
the Terminal.
Nov. 27 Alyeska responds to evidence of hydrocarbons
detected by soil probes near MP 776; no spill found.
1995
Mar. 9 Valdez Emergency Operations Center/Escort
Response Base opened.
1997
January Exxon Pipeline Company (TAPS Owner) becomes
Mar. 30 Alyeska employees work one million consecutive ExxonMobil Pipeline Company.
hours without a lost-time accident.
January Temporary back-pressure system installed at
April Alyeska completes major electrical improvement the Terminal to stop pressure pulsations in
project (ANSC) line-wide. Thompson Pass.
May 24 PS 8 topping unit shut down. Jan. 1 Phillips Alaska Pipeline Corporation (TAPS Owner)
Oct. 20 Alyeska and U.S. Department of Interior sign new stock reissued to Phillips Transportation Alaska, Inc.
Alaska Native Utilization Agreement. June 20 20th anniversary of TAPS operations.
Oct. 26 PS 7 idled for maintenance, three months. July 1 PS 2 placed in ramped down status.
December Alyeska completed construction on new otter Aug. 5 6,000th SERVS escort.
rehabilitation facility.
Aug. 8 PS 6 topping unit placed in ramped down status.
Dec. 12 11 billionth barrel arrives at the Terminal.
Aug. 12 M/V Overseas Juneau, 15,000th tanker to load.
Dec. 31 ARCO M/V Juneau, 14,000th tanker to load.
Oct. 2 Permanent back-pressure control
system operational.
1996 Dec. 1 12 billionth barrel arrives at the Terminal.
January 5,000th SERVS escort.

92 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 93

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HISTORY, TAPS
1998 June 30 Mobil Alaska Pipeline Company (TAPS Owner) stock
reissued to Williams Alaska Pipeline Company, LLC.
Mar. 19 Tanker vapor control system brought into full July M/V Aware, prevention/response tug, arrives at Valdez
operation at the Terminal. to join SERVS’ fleet.
Sept. 25-26 Pipeline shut down for 28 hours, 40 minutes to repair Aug. 1 ARCO Transportation Pipeline Company (TAPS
CV 122 and replace RGV 80. Owner) stock reissued to Phillips Transportation
Oct. 15 Alyeska and U.S. Department of Interior renew Alaska Alaska, Inc.
Native Utilization Agreement. Summer Extensive rebuilding of Berth 4 at the Terminal.
Sept. 16 Pipeline shut down to replace CV 74 and the M-2 valve
1999 at PS 9.
Jan. 27 Nanuq, enhanced tractor tug, arrives at Valdez to join Oct. 7 Shutdown to test remaining valves needed to
SERVS’ fleet. complete the five-year test program for all
mainline valves.
May 21 7,000th SERVS escort.

2001
May 22 Tan’erliq, enhanced tractor tug, arrives at Valdez to
join SERVS fleet.
June 26 ARCO M/V Spirit, 16,000th tanker to load. July 11 M/V Polar Endeavor, first Millennium class double-hull
tanker, arrives at the Terminal.
July 10 10th anniversary of SERVS.
July 19 8,000th SERVS escort.
Sept. 11 Pipeline shut down for 25 hours, 49 minutes to
replace RGV 60. Summer Extensive renewal of Berth 5 at the Terminal.
Aug. 21 SERVS receives Distinguished Achievement award

2000 in recognition of outstanding third-party oil spill

response to the grounding of the F/V Windy Bay in
February M/V Alert, prevention/response tug, arrives at Valdez Prince William Sound.
to join SERVS’ fleet. Sept. 22 M/V Marine Columbia, 17,000th tanker to load.
April Pipeline movement at MP 170. Sept. 22 Pipeline shut down for mainline valve maintenance
Apr. 27 13 billionth barrel arrives at the Terminal. and integrity test and performance evaluation of two
48-inch mainline RGVs.
May M/V Attentive, prevention/response tug, arrives at
Valdez to join SERVS fleet. Oct. 4 Bullet hole at MP 400 leaks 258,000 gallons of oil.
More than 178,000 gallons recovered and reinjected
June Scraper pig removed seat ring from CV 74. into the pipeline.

94 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 95

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HISTORY, TAPS
Oct. 25 Alyeska and U.S. Department of Interior renew Alaska April Alyeska Pipeline receives the American Petroleum
Native Utilization Agreement. Institute’s 2002 Environmental Large Operator Award
and recognition for improved safety performance (29
November TERMINAL Tank 94 raised 2 feet (ballast water tank, percent reduction in OSHA recordables over a three-
250-foot diameter). year period).
Nov. 2 First oil from Northstar field received at PS 1. July 23 9,000th SERVS escort.
Nov. 9 Chevron M/V Mississippi, final tanker load after 30 Oct. 10 M/V Marine Columbia, 18,000th tanker to load.
years of service and 1,002 sailings, all ports (432 from
the Terminal).
2004
2002 Mar. 31 Williams Alaska Pipeline Company, LLC (TAPS
Owner) stock reissued to Koch Alaska Pipeline
June 20 25th anniversary of TAPS operations. Company, LLC.
July 25 Pipeline shut down to replace RGV 39. April Alyeska Pipeline receives the American Petroleum
Aug. 1 Valdez Marine Terminal office building dedication. Institute’s 2003 Environmental Large Operator Award
and recognition for improved safety performance (47
October Phillips Transportation Alaska, Inc. (TAPS Owner) percent reduction in OSHA recordables over a three-
becomes ConocoPhillips Transportation Alaska, Inc. year period).
Oct. 10 Laden tanker Kenai assisted by escort vessels
when mechanical problems developed at
Hinchinbrook Entrance. 2005
Oct. 30 Main firewater distribution line at the April Alyeska Pipeline receives the American Petroleum
Terminal relined. Institute’s 2004 Environmental Large Operator
Award (no Pipeline Performance Tracking System
November TERMINAL tank 93 raised two feet (ballast water (PPTS) releases).
tank, 250-foot diameter).
Dec. 14 10,000th SERVS escort.
Nov. 3 7.9 earthquake at MP 588. Damaged shoes and VSM
crossbeams repaired and replaced. No oil spilled. Dec. 21 15 billionth barrel arrives at the Terminal.

Nov. 26 State of Alaska renews pipeline right-of-way for

30 years.
2006
April Alyeska wins the American Petroleum Institute’s
2003 Distinguished Environmental and Safety Award, API’s
highest recognition for a pipeline operator. Alyeska
Jan. 20 14 billionth barrel arrives at the Terminal.

96 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 97

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HISTORY, TAPS
also received the 2005 Environmental Large Operator also eliminating a major source of emissions at
Award (zero releases). the Terminal.
Apr. 11 M/V Kodiak, 19,000th tanker to load. Apr. 3 Alyeska installs pressure containing sleeve to repair
areas of external corrosion near PS 1.
August Smart pig run from PS 1 to PS 4, successful.
June 28-29 Pipeline shut down to replace RGV 72.
September Smart pig run from PS 4 to the Terminal, not
successful due to wax build up. Rerun scheduled Aug. 13 Alyeska wraps up cathodic protection project
for March 2007. near Valdez.
Dec. 22 Scraper pig 67 came apart in line at PS 7. Aug. 16-17 Pipeline shut down for routine maintenance, including
pig trap replacement at the Terminal.

2007 Aug. 19 SERVS assists F/V Northern Mariner that went

aground on northeast side of Flemming Island.
Jan. 9 Pipeline restarted after leak on bypass piping
Nov. 5 Federal Transportation Worker Identification
stopped.
Credential (TWIC) program implemented at
Feb. 9 Alyeska starts up new pumps at PS 9, the first station the Terminal.
to receive upgraded equipment.
March
Mar. 22
Smart pig launches at PS 4.
Smart pig completes review of TAPS.
2009
Jan. 28 11,000th SERVS tanker escort.
May 14 Project work at PS 3 stabilizes pipeline.
April Alyeska receives 2008 American Petroleum Institute’s
June 20 30th anniversary of TAPS operations. Distinguished Operator Award (Large Operator),
among the oil industry’s top honors and reserved for
Nov. 1 TAPS crews wrap up repairs to storm damage to
pipeline operators that demonstrate excellence in
right-of-way.
safety, environment and integrity. Alyeska also won
Dec. 17 New pumps started at PS 3: Second station to receive API’s Distinguished Environment and Safety award for
upgraded equipment. the fifth consecutive year.
May 21 New pumps started at PS 4: Third station to receive

2008 July 10
upgraded equipment.
SERVS marks 20th anniversary.
Jan. 23 Operations Control Center begins 24/7 operations
in Anchorage.
Feb. 7 BWT successfully connects to vapor recovery system,
substantially reducing the risk of fire and explosion
associated with flammable vapors in the tanks, and

98 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 99

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HISTORY, TAPS
2010 June 6
June 20
SERVS celebrates 12,000 tanker escorts.
Alyeska reaches its 35th anniversary of operations..
April Alyeska is awarded the 2009 American Petroleum
Institute’s award for top environmental performance August 2 The 35th anniversary of first tanker leaving Valdez.
in 2009.

2013
2011 March 5 Alyeska wins a World’s Most Ethical Companies
May 12 Alyeska Pipeline Service Company employees and Award from the Ethisphere Institute for the second
contractors reach a major safety milestone: 10 million year in a row.
hours without a Day Away From Work Case (DAFWC). July Koch withdraws as TAPS owner.
July 2011 An Alyeska team completes the Low Flow Impact

2014
Study, a $10 million project designed to study and
evaluate operational risks related to declining
throughput. March 20 Alyeska wins a World’s Most Ethical Companies
Sept. 21 TAPS receives the 2011 Outstanding Environmental Award from the Ethisphere Institute for the third year
Engineering Geologic Project Award from the in a row.
Association of the Environmental and Engineering August 13 17 billionth barrel arrives at Valdez Marine Terminal.
Geologists.

2012 2015
February Vessel of Opportunity Program, managed by Alyeska’s
Jan. 9 Alyeska Pipeline Service Company receives a SERVS team, wins the Ocean Leadership Award from
legislative citation for its response to the January the Alaska SeaLife Center.
2011 booster pump piping leak at Pump Station 1.
March At Governor’s Health & Safety Conference, Alyeska
March 16 Alyeska Pipeline wins a World’s Most Ethical wins a Governor’s Safety Award of Excellence.
Companies Award from the Ethisphere Institute.
March 9 Alyeska wins a World’s Most Ethical Companies
April The Alaska Legislature honors Alyeska Pipeline with Award from the Ethisphere Institute for the fourth
a legislative citation for its Alyeska’s World’s Most year in a row.
Ethical Company award.
December Alyeska finishes year with best safety performance
May Alyeska receives the Most Improved Projects Process on record, with Alyeska employees and contractors
Award for small projects (between $2-10 million) working a combined 5,827,988 hours with just four
from Independent Project Analysis. recordable injuries.

100 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 101

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REPAIRS, MAJOR
2016 repairs, major:
March 7 Alyeska wins a World’s Most Ethical Companies Following is a chronology of major TAPS repair and project work
Award from the Ethisphere Institute for the fifth year since 1977:
in a row.
May 7 SERVS escorts 13,000th outbound laden tanker, the
Polar Endeavor. 1977
July 7 MP 489.12: Approximately 20 feet south of north block
valve at PS 8; damage to 30° elbow and pipe from
injection of super cooled nitrogen ahead of oil front
during oil-in. Replaced with new elbow and two 6-foot
pumps. Pipe reburied.
July 8 MP 489.24: Pump building at PS 8 destroyed in an
explosion and fire; pipeline undamaged. Pump
building was replaced and recommissioned on March
7, 1978.
September MP 388.00: North of Lost Creek; two bullet
indentations. Covered with 48-inch diameter 3-foot
welded split-sleeve.

1978
February MP 457.53: Steele Creek; 1-inch diameter hole
(sabotage). Covered with 48-inch diameter, 22.5-inch
bolted split-sleeve; subsequently covered with welded
sleeve.

1979
June MP 166.43: North side Atigun Pass; hairline crack
caused by buckle. Covered with 56-inch diameter,
6-foot welded split-sleeve; 19 steel supports
installed. Pipe reburied.

102 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 103

REPAIRS, MAJOR

REPAIRS, MAJOR
June MP 734.16: 1 mile north of PS 12; hairline crack
caused by buckle in pipe. Covered with 56-inch 1982
diameter, 6.1-foot welded split-sleeve; seven steel April MP 168.40: South side Atigun Pass; pipe settlement.
supports installed. Pipe reburied. Approximately 300-foot excavation; concrete slurry
September MP 157.62 to MP 157.65: Instrument pig (“super pig”) added beneath pipe. Pipe reburied.
lodged in line at CV 29. Stopple and bypass installed, August MP 166.03: North side Atigun Pass; pipe buckle.
valve bonnet lifted, pig removed. Pipe reburied. Covered with 56-inch diameter, 6.5-foot welded split-
October MP 166.41: North side Atigun Pass; buckled pipe. sleeve. Pipe reburied.
Covered with 56-inch diameter, 6-foot welded split-
sleeve. Pipe reburied.
1983
1980
March MP 730.29: Pipe settlement. Approximately 102-foot
excavation; nine concrete river weights removed,
April MP 449.96: Indentation, possibly from bullet. Covered concrete slurry added beneath pipe. Pipe reburied.
with 48-inch diameter, 18-inch welded split-sleeve. April MP 200.24: Dietrich River channel; pipe buckle.
May MP 159.70: Construction damage from backhoe River channel redirected temporarily; approximately
during monitor rod installation. Covered with 48-inch 125-foot excavation; 56-inch diameter, 6-foot welded
diameter, 3.6-foot welded split-sleeve. Pipe reburied. split-sleeve installed; five specially designed steel
supports installed. Pipe reburied.
June MP 416.00: Approximately 2 miles south of PS 7; pipe
settlement. Approximately 430-foot excavation; eight October MP 45.97: Pipe settlement. Approximately 200-foot
steel supports installed. Pipe not reburied. excavation; concrete slurry added beneath pipe.
Pipe reburied.
August MP 752.00: Flash flood, 900 feet of overburden
washed out; no damage. Pipe reburied.
November MP 720.00: Pipe settlement. Approximately 200-foot 1984
excavation; pipe lifted and concrete slurry added March Removal of scraper pig stuck at CV 4 and relocation of
beneath pipe. Pipe reburied. pig trap from PS 5 to PS 4.
November Removal of stuck pig at PS 10.
1981
No major repairs. 1985
January MP 200: Temporary bypass tie-in, pipe settlement.

104 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 105

REPAIRS, MAJOR

REPAIRS, MAJOR
April MP 200: Final tie-in of 48-inch permanent reroute
(404.7 feet added to total pipeline length, April 22). 1991
Reroute due to pipe settlement. January 18 sleeves installed for corrosion repairs.
Mar. 8 MP 779.47: Mechanical damage covered by 4-foot
1986 Apr. 6
welded sleeve.
MP 756.80: Mechanical damage covered by 4-foot
Oct. 10 Steele Creek: Permanent welded sleeve installed
over bolted split sleeve. welded sleeve.

Nov. 18 PS 10: Replaced “Tee” damaged by stuck scraper pig. September MP 157-165.5: Atigun Floodplain Pipe Replacement
Project (FPRP) completed. Permanent reroute of 8.5
miles of mainline pipe due to corrosion.
1987
Aug. 25 Mechanical damage covered with 3-foot
welded sleeve.
1992
No major repairs.
Sept. 29 MP 166.41 to 166.43: Atigun Pass. Replaced 234 feet
of buckled pipe.
1993
1988 June 6 MP 775: Mechanical damage covered by 3-foot
welded sleeve.
No major repairs.

1989 1994
July 22 CV 9: Bypass spool replaced and drain line repaired.
January 30 sleeves installed for corrosion repairs.
July 30 CV 86: Bypass and drain line repaired.

1990 Sept. 30 CV 74: Drain line repaired.

January
Nov. 23
86 sleeves installed for corrosion repairs.
MP 172.62: Dent covered by 6-foot welded sleeve.
1995
Mar. 15 CV 55: Replaced actuator.
Dec. 3 Mechanical damage covered with bolted clamp, later
covered with a split “Tee” (part of Atigun floodplain June 8 CV 89: Replaced actuator.
pipe replacement project). July 14 RGV stem leak repaired.
Sept. 15 Extended Chena Hot Springs Road casing.

106 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 107

REPAIRS, MAJOR

REPAIRS, MAJOR
1996 2001
Apr. 25 CV 92: Replaced bypass line. Sept. 22 Pipeline shut down for mainline valve maintenance
and integrity test, and performance evaluation of two,
48-inch mainline RGVs.
1997 Oct. 4 MP 400: Bullet hole repaired with hydraulic clamp.
Feb. 8 Wilbur Creek: Installed “armadillo” sleeve; repair due Clamp later replaced with a threaded O-ring fitting.
to corrosion.
June 20 MP 775.75: Mechanical damage covered by 2.5-foot
welded sleeve. 2002
July 10 Set full-close limit switches on valves along pipeline;
Oct. 9 MP 799.68: Corrosion repair covered by 4.8-foot
changed out three valves in gas building at PS 3.
welded sleeve.
July 27 RGV 39: Pipeline shut down to replace valve.

1998 Nov. 3 MP 588: Repaired or replaced damaged shoes and

VSM crossbeams from 7.9 earthquake.
Mar. 19 Tanker vapor control system startup at the Terminal.
Sept. 25 Replaced RGV 80 and repaired CV 122.
2003
July 18-19 Set full-close limit switches on RGVs; other pump
1999 station work.
Apr. 26 MP 652: Two sleeves installed for corrosion repair. Aug. 8-12 Set full-close limit switches on RGVs; other pump
station work.
Sept. 11 RGV 60: Replaced.
Aug. 15 Performed maintenance and tests on selected RGVs;
OCC special commands.
2000 Sept. 10-12 Set full-close limit switches on RGVs; other pump
May 26 MP 170: Completed reset and repair of tripped station work.
anchors, a result of the collapse of vapor pocket after
pipeline restart.
June 1 MP 710.76: Mechanical damage covered by two, 2-foot 2004
welded sleeves. July 10-11 Pig trap valve replacement at PS 4; set full-close limit
switches on valves along pipeline.
Sept. 16 PS 9: Replaced CV 74 and M-2 valve.

108 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 109

REPAIRS, MAJOR

REPAIRS, MAJOR
Aug. 16-17 Tie-in work at PS 1 and PS 3 for Strategic Aug. 16-17 1,700 feet of bypass pipe installed at PS 2,
Reconfiguration; performed maintenance and tests permanently disconnecting PS 2 from TAPS.
on selected RGVs; OCC special commands.

2009
2005 June 20-21 Replaced 62,000 pound valve at PS 3 used to redirect
June 19-20 Pig trap valve replacement at PS 4, due to factory crude flow inside the pump station. Enhanced leak
defective valve installed in 2004. Installed new protection or mainline valves at PS 1.
mainline CV at PS 7.
July Removed dual functionality Tees from PS 3 suction
July 23-24 Tie-in work at PS 9 for Strategic Reconfiguration. and discharge headers, isolating the legacy pump
Ramped down and isolated PS 12 and replaced building at PS 3 for future demolition/salvage. This
mainline through the station. Isolated all buildings at leaves only the new electric drivers to move oil at this
PS 12 for future demolition/salvage. location. Also replaced 62,000 pound M2 valve and
decommissioned Turbine Fuel Tank 137 from service
at PS 3.
2006
July 22-23 Isolated PS 10 from the mainline and installed a
mainline 48-inch CV inside the manifold building. 2010
Replaced the 48-inch mainline check valve 109 June 19-20 Replaced M1 and S2 valves at PS 4.
located on the south bank of the Klutina River. Both
July Removed dual functionality Tees from PS 4 suction
these scopes were accomplished in the 36-hour
and discharge headers, isolating the legacy pump
shutdown.
building at PS 4 for future demolition/salvage. This
October Flooding in the Valdez area causes extensive completes the transition to the new electric drivers
damage to ROW, state highway and most bridges in to move oil at this location. Decommissioned Turbine
the southern 60 miles of the pipeline right of way. Fuel Tank 147 from service at PS 4.
Repairs continued through 2007.
Nov. 29-Dec. 11 Pump Station 5 Pig 99 incident.

2007 2011
No major repairs.
Jan. 8-20 PS 1 Booster Pump Building spill to containment
resulted in two back-to-back shutdowns as crews

2008 engineered and installed aboveground bypass piping.

June 28-29 Replaced RGV 72 and removed the Tees for SR

configuration at PS 9.

11 0 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 111

REPAIRS, MAJOR

REPAIRS, MAJOR
2012 July 16 First crawler pig run conducted, testing potential
of new technology to inspect segments of TAPS
June 1-2 Leading Edge Flow Meter modifications at Pump facility piping.
Stations 3 and 4; Mainline RGV stem seals replaced Aug. 29-30 During 36-hour major maintenance shutdown,
on three Remote Gate Valves; updates to PS11 Safety teams tested all mainline valves between PS1 and
Integrity Pressure Protection System (SIPPS). 3, returned below-ground piping to service at PS3,
August Pump Station 6 straight pipe project completed. installed two valves at PS5, removed suction relief
dead-leg piping at PS7, and conducted SIPPS testing
and work.
2013 Sept. 14 Pig launcher installed at Pump Station 9, expanding
March 15 In-Line Inspection Tool launched from Pump Station Alyeska’s ability to pig TAPS in smaller segments.
1, gathering data critical to Alyeska’s integrity Nov. 14 Berth 4 overhaul completed.
management program.

2015
March 26 In-Line Inspection Tool re-launched from Pump
Station 4 to Valdez, continuing effort to gather
integrity management data. January Portable diesel-fired crude oil heater installed at
June 8 Mainline valves along pipeline tested during 18- Remote Gate Valve 65 for contingency heat during
hour shutdown, ensuring performance as part of winter operations to help manage temperature
Alyeska’s suite of tools for protecting TAPS and the during declining throughput volumes and mitigate ice
environment. accumulation incoming to Pump Station 7.
July 26 Straight pipe project completed at Pump Station June 12-13 Replaced pig launcher valves at PS1; isolated
10 during planned 6-hour shutdown. belowground piping at PS4 to use new technology
to conduct internal integrity inspection; tested all
August 9 Mainline valves along pipeline tested during mainline valves between Isabel and Thompson passes
18-hour shutdown. to confirm valve sealing capability.

2014
June 20-21 During 24-hour major maintenance shutdown, crews
perform power system modifications at PS1, isolate
below-ground piping at PS3, perform power switch
installation at PS4, test all mainline valves between
Atigun Pass and PS5, and inspect power substation
at PS9.

112 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 113

SHUTDOWNS, PIPELINE

SHUTDOWNS, PIPELINE
shutdowns, pipeline: 1981
Jan. 1 15 hr, 38 min CV 23 leak.

The following is a chronology of scheduled long-duration maintenance

shutdowns and major unplanned shutdowns after oil first reached
Valdez. For additional information on other shutdowns, contact
1982
Dec. 22 12 hr Equipment malfunction.
Alyeska Pipeline.

1977 1984
Aug. 2 40 min Equipment malfunction. Mar. 20 57 hr, 40 min Scraper pig stuck at CV 4. PS 4
trap relocation.
Aug. 15 110 hr, 11 min PS 9 sump overflow.
Sept. 20
Oct. 9
59 min
4 hr, 14 min
Equipment malfunction.
Producer shutdown.
1985
Jan. 21 66 hr MP 200 bypass tie-in.

1978 Apr. 22 20 hr, 40 min MP 200 final reroute tie-in of

48-inch pipe (404.7 feet added to
Jan. 10 4 hr. Equipment malfunction. total pipeline length).

Jan. 16 4 hr, 22 min Equipment malfunction Nov. 9 10 hr, 15 min PS 1 explosion and fire.

Feb. 15 21 hr, 31 min Sabotage, Steele Creek.

May 6 7 hr, 18 min Equipment malfunction. 1986
Sept. 26 31 hr, 50 min Removed scraper pig at PS 10.

1979 Nov. 18 16 hr, 54 min Replaced “Tee” at PS 10.

June 10 53 hr, 37 min Atigun Pass leak.

1987
1980 Sept. 29 24 hr, 6 min Atigun Pass pipe replacement.

May 12 3 hr, 37 min PS 10 crude tank valve leak

Oct. 17 5 hr, 16 min Scheduled maintenance. 1989
Feb. 26 1 hr, 31 min Power failure at PS 1.

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SHUTDOWNS, PIPELINE

SHUTDOWNS, PIPELINE
32 min PS 1 block line. Aug. 1 8 hr, 40 min Scheduled maintenance as part
of ramping down PS 8 and
Oct. 20 5 hr, 16 min Repair corroded pipe at
PS 10.
MP 144.2.
Aug. 6 11 hr, 2 min Schedule maintenance as part
of ramping down PS 8 and
1990 PS 10.
Mar. 21 4 hr, 10 min PS 3, broken valve 320.
June 12 12 hr, 39 min PS 1, valve D2 pipe replacement. 1997
June 26 5 hr, 44 min Communications failure with
1992 Aug. 1 17 hr, 49 min
RGVs in segment 12.
Scheduled maintenance for
Aug. 7 1 hr, 49 min Uncommanded closure of
PS 2 and PS 6 rampdown
RGV 73, electric short.
preparation.
Aug. 8 19 hr, 29 min Placed PS 6 in ramped
1994 down status.
Apr. 15 24 hr, 28 min Replace 002 valve at Valdez and

Apr. 18 7 hr, 57 min

troubleshoot segment 4 RGVs.
Work on PS 4 systronics
1998
May 18 5 hr, 9 min PS 1 in-rush vapor test and
master panel.
vibration test of the Terminal
incoming relief piping.
1995 Aug. 14 5 hr, 4 min Communications failure,
segment 10.
Sept. 11 15 hr, 45 min Scheduled maintenance.
Sept. 25 28 hr, 40 min Valve maintenance, replaced
Sept. 12 4 hr, 51 min Completion of scheduled PS 2
RGV 80 and repaired CV 122.
maintenance.

1996 1999
Sept. 11 25 hr, 49 min Valve maintenance, replaced
May 6 21 hr, 45 min Scheduled maintenance.
RGV 60, tested 46 mainline
July 12 10 hr, 25 min Scheduled maintenance, valves and completed 165 other
preparations for PS 8 and maintenance tasks.
PS 10 rampdown.

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SHUTDOWNS, PIPELINE
Nov. 13 8 hr, 6 min Planned maintenance and Aug. 16 17 hr Planned maintenance shutdown
autologic testing. to install new infrastructure at
pump stations 1 and 3, replace
two pig trap valves and perform
2000 RGV maintenance and testing.
Sept. 16 29 hr, 39 min Planned line-wide maintenance

Oct. 7 7 hr, 31 min

shutdown.
Planned line-wide shutdown for
2005
June 19 35 hr, 42 min Planned maintenance shutdown
maintenance of mainline valve
to install infrastructure at Pump
leak test.
Station 4 to prepare the station
for Strategic Reconfiguration

2001 project, replace two pig trap

valves at Pump Station 4 and
Sept. 22 21 hr, 4 min Planned maintenance install a 48-inch mainline check
shutdown. valve at Pump Station 7.
Oct. 4 60 hr, 30 min Bullet puncture (sabotage) at July 23 32 hr, 32 min Planned maintenance shutdown
MP 400. to prepare Pump Station 9
for electric pump motors and
install straight line pipe at
2002 Pump Station 12.
July 27 29 hr, 57 min Planned maintenance shutdown
to replace Remote Gate
Valve 39. 2006
July 22-23 36 hr Planned maintenance
Nov. 3 66 hr, 33 min 7.9 earthquake at MP 588.
shutdown. Replaced CV 109,
and performed additional
2004 Oct. 10 9 hr, 45 min
maintenance tasks.
Communication failure at RGVs
Jan. 24 5 hr, 51 min Communications failure at
117, 118, 119, 121 and 121A, due
valve 972.
to flooding between PS 12 and
July 10-11 31 hr, 36 min Planned maintenance the Terminal.
shutdown, including replacing
Nov. 15 16 hr, 25 min Shutdown due to high inventory
two pig launcher valves at Pump
in Valdez.
Station 4.

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SHUTDOWNS, PIPELINE
Nov. 17 6 hr, 8 min Shutdown due to high inventory aboveground piping connection
in Valdez and problems at PS 4. to Kuparuk at Pump Station 1,
and to disconnect legacy piping
Nov. 18 22 hr, 30 min Shutdown to build inventory at
and replace two large valves at
PS 1.
Pump Station 4.
July 31 31 hr, 35 min Scheduled maintenance
2008 shutdown to replace a valve at
Pump Station 9, replace gas
June 28 28 hr, 49 min Planned maintenance
supply lines to the pump station
shutdown.
3 and 4 turbine generators, and
Aug. 16 35 hr, 37 min Planned maintenance shutdown replace 6-inch bypass piping on
to install 1,700 feet of new a CV at Pump Station 1.
48-inch mainline pipe at Pump
Station 2 and replace a pig trap
at the Valdez Marine Terminal. 2011
Jan. 8 85 hr, 10 min Booster pump piping leak at

2009 Pump Station 1 (restarted on

interim basis).
June 20-21 33 hr, 58 min Planned maintenance shutdown
Jan. 15 62 hr, 49 min Installation of bypass piping at
to remove unused pipe and
Pump Station 1.
replace a valve at Pump Station
3, test new equipment at Pump Jan. 8-15 147 hrs. 59 min Total duration of combined Jan.
Station 4 and do leak protection 8 and Jan. 15 shutdowns.
work on valves at Pump
July 16 33 hr, 23 min Scheduled maintenance
Station 1.
shutdown to replace valves
July 18 36 hr, 30 min Planned maintenance shutdown at Pump Station 4 and the
to install a pig launcher at Pump installation of straight line pipe
Station 8. at Glennallen Response Base
(Pump Station 11).

2010
May 25 79 hr, 38 min Pump Station 9 crude tank 190
relief event/overfill.
June 19 33 hr, 58 min Scheduled maintenance
shutdown to install new

12 0 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 121

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Notes
Here is a closer look at long-duration maintenance shutdowns and Aug. 29-30 36 hrs, 5 min Scheduled maintenance
unplanned shutdowns during the past 5 years. shutdown for valve testing at
Pump Stations 1 and 3, removal
of pig crawler blinds at pump
2012 station 3, valve installation at
Pump Station 5 and deadleg
June 2 17 hrs, 42 min Scheduled maintenance
removal at Pump Station 7.
shutdown for mainline valve
testing between pump stations
5 and 7 and SIPPS work at Pump
Station 11. 2015
June 12-13 36 hrs, 6 min Scheduled maintenance
July 28 18 hrs, 28 min Scheduled maintenance
shutdown for Pump Station 1
shutdown.
pig launcher valve replacement,
mainline valve testing between
2013 Isabel Pass and Thompson
Pass, isolation of crawler pig
June 8 18 hrs, 46 min Scheduled maintenance relief at Pump Station 4.
shutdown for main line valve
Aug. 21-22 33 hrs, 49 min Scheduled maintenance
testing, SIPPS upgrades at
shutdown for valve testing at
Pump Stations, fuel gas system
Pump Stations 3 and 4, Pump
work at Pump Station 3.
Station 1 cutover from MCC to
August 12 19 hrs, 20 min Scheduled maintenance E&A, Pump Station 5 RGV-40
shutdown for valve testing replacement.
in segments 7 to 9, SIPPS
upgrades, work at PS04 & 05
and suction header work at
PS09.
2016
April 20 8 hrs, 52 min Pipeline shut down due to
fire at Pump Station 5’s Tank
2014 150 during inspection of tank
pressure/vacuum vents.
June 20 21 hrs, 45 min Scheduled maintenance
shutdown for valve testing at
Pump Station 5, legacy cut
over at Pump Station 1 and
For additional information on shutdowns, contact Alyeska Pipeline.
installation of pig crawler blinds
at pump station 3.

12 2 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 12 3

Notes

Notes
notes

12 4 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 12 5

Notes

Notes
12 6 the facts. TRANS ALASKA PIPELINE SYSTEM 12 7
Notes

12 8 the facts.