15 billion barrels and 10,000 tanker escorts - Alyeska Pipeline achieves operational milestones

The month of December marked two significant operational milestones for Alyeska Pipeline Service Company that reflects the company’s commitment to safely transporting oil.

On Wednesday, December 21, the 15 billionth barrel of oil was received at Pump Station 1 on Alaska’s North Slope and began its journey down the 800-mile-long pipeline to Valdez where it was then loaded onto tankers for market delivery.

The second milestone occurred on Wednesday, December 14 at the southern terminus of the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) with the departure of the marine tanker Polar Resolution from the Valdez Marine Terminal. This event marked the 10,000th vessel escort since Alyeska’s Ship Escort Response Vessel System (SERVS) was established in 1989. The mission of SERVS is to prevent oil spills by assisting tankers in safe navigation through Prince William Sound, and to protect the environment by providing rapid and effective response services to the Valdez Marine Terminal and Alaska crude oil shippers.

“I want to take this opportunity to congratulate those who designed and built the pipeline system and also to recognize the employees who operate TAPS today for their dedication and personal commitment,” said Kevin Hostler, Alyeska President and Chief Executive Officer. “These milestones are great examples of the work we do in safeguarding the environment and transporting oil safely - day in and day out.”

As the pipeline bisects Alaska from Prudhoe Bay on the Arctic Ocean to Prince William Sound, it crosses three mountain ranges, three major earthquake faults and more than 500 rivers and streams. When designed and built, the trans-Alaskan pipeline was considered an engineering marvel, particularly in light of discoveries in arctic design and construction, permafrost protection, and seismic monitoring. TAPS was a nearly impossible pioneering achievement that involved more than 70,000 men and women to build over the course of two years.

The first barrel of oil started flowing on June 20, 1977. The oil arrived in Valdez on July 28, 1977 and the first tanker departed the terminal on August 1, 1977. When North Slope crude oil production was at its peak, TAPS transported averaged over 2.1 million barrels per day. At present, approximately 1 million barrels of oil per day move through the pipeline, representing approximately 17% of the United States’ crude oil production.

“We wouldn’t be where we are today without a dedicated group of employees – past and present,” said Hostler. “I’d like to publicly recognize them for their many contributions to TAPS’ monumental success over the last 28 years.”