President's Message
David Wight, President and CEO

Progress continues on Strategic Reconfiguration project

Summer is around the corner and Alyeska crews are preparing to start their usual seasonal maintenance projects, from clearing brush along the pipeline to repairing heat pipes and corrosion. They are also continuing to work on Strategic Reconfiguration, the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) modernization project.

This $250 million upgrade will replace 30-year-old pump and control systems with modern systems that are easier and less expensive to operate and maintain.

Pump Stations 1, 3, 4, 5 and 9 are all being upgraded with electric-powered pump modules and/or automated control systems. We will be able to monitor and control all of the pump stations from a single operations control center. Reconfiguration will more efficiently match pumping power with current and anticipated North Slope oil production.

This summers’ work focuses on module fabrication and will prepare sites for new facility installations. The new systems will be standardized to simplify operations and maintenance, and increase automation. And changes will help Alyeska reduce TAPS operating costs while maintaining or improving the pipeline’s safe and reliable performance.

Several Alaska companies are working on this project with us by fabricating the new equipment. VECO Engineering, Inc. is, for example, completing variable frequency drive modules, power distribution centers and pump/motor units. ASRC Energy Services is fabricating control modules, power distribution center modules and pipe racks. And Precision Power of Anchorage is providing new diesel generators for four of the pump stations (3, 4, 5, and 9).

Another phase of the project includes the installation of pilings for the modules at each of the pump stations. Alaskan vendors, including ASRC Energy Services, VECO, H.C. Price, and Ahtna, Inc. have all been awarded contracts to install pilings at various stations. Some of this work is already concluded and as we go to print with this newsletter, piling work is underway in the field.