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Monthly Newsletter Left Menu
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Volume 10 - Number 12 - July 2007
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Practice helps improve spill prevention and response in
Prince William Sound
Practice makes perfect – or so the saying goes. Alyeska’s
Ship Escort Response Vessel System (SERVS) has applied that
motto to how it approaches oil spill prevention and response
in Prince William Sound (PWS). SERVS’ primary purpose is to
prevent oil spills through an escort system that helps
tankers navigate the 70 miles through PWS to the Gulf of
Alaska. The better the prevention, the lower the chances
that a major spill will occur. But despite the best efforts
and all the technology in the world, you can never eliminate
risk altogether.
Each year, Alyeska exercises a response scenario to test the
coordination between Alyeska, the federal and state
agencies, and one of the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS)
marine shippers. Members of these groups work months in
advance to prepare the drill scenario. BP hosted this year’s
annual exercise in Valdez.
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In the Field
Fairbanks Track and Field EventMore
than 400 youngsters from the interior took part in the 2007
Alyeska Pipeline Track and Field games on June 9. The event
has become one of the most anticipated events of the
Fairbanks summer, with kids from Eielson to Nenana
displaying their talents on the field of athletic
competition.
For the past 10 years, Alyeska has provided money and
volunteers to make these games a reality. Volunteers from
Alyeska and the North Star Borough worked together to keep
the 5- to 14-year-old participants on task as they competed
in their chosen events. The running events consisted of
races ranging from 50 to 1,500 yards and field events that
included the softball throw and long jump.
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President's Message
Kevin Hostler, President and CEO
Investment in education is investment in Alaska’s future
As a young man I
came to Alaska to work in the oil industry. I spent time on
the North Slope and worked here in Anchorage for nearly four
years. That was in the early 80s when the state was
beginning to prosper economically as a result of Prudhoe
Bay. It was an exciting time and the opportunities were
abound. Nearly 30 years later, I am back. And, I can tell
you there is just as much opportunity in the science and
engineering fields. One of the challenges we face as an
industry is having enough people to fill the critical need
areas of our technical workforce. The University of Alaska
has increased the number of engineers that have graduated
yet we still need more to fill the jobs offered.
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Face to Face
Elden Johnson, Engineering Advisor
Elden Johnson has spent his entire
professional career working on the Trans Alaska Pipeline
System. Not a small feat considering his first day of work
began 34 years ago, smack in the middle of the Arab oil
embargo, which prompted President Nixon, in 1973, to
authorize the project.
Johnson has worked for all nine of Alyeska’s presidents and
has personally witnessed many changes within the company.
Johnson’s first calling was to assist in the design and
development of the pipeline, four years before signing up
with Alyeska. Since his first day with the company in 1977,
Johnson has worn many hats, and he’s proud of his
achievements. Johnson affectionately declares the pipeline
and the company a big part of his family.
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Integrity Management on TAPS
Earthquake preparedness program
The 48-inch pipeline crosses three mountain ranges and 34
major rivers and streams. It was built to withstand
earthquakes and address changing soil conditions throughout
the system. Alyeska's earthquake preparedness program
ensures TAPS facilities will function as required during and
after earthquakes to prevent environmental damage, protect
human health and safety, minimize capital loss and minimize
business interruption. The Earthquake Monitoring System
(EMS) also evaluates the severity of ground shaking along
the pipeline route to assess the potential for damage to the
pipeline and supporting facilities.
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