In the Field
Oil stops for pump station upgrades

The Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) shut down for almost 36 hours on June 19-20 while crews worked on a variety of scheduled pipeline projects.

Maintenance shutdowns are planned months in advance and coordinated with North Slope oil producers so that many TAPS and North Slope projects can be performed at the same time to minimize disruptions to oil production, flow and shipping schedules.

TAPS workers installed new equipment at Pump Station 4 (PS 4) as part of Alyeska’s pipeline modernization project called strategic reconfiguration. Crews also replaced two pig trap valves at PS 4 and installed a 48-inch mainline check valve at PS 7.

“Despite some challenges, our teams never lost focus on personal and professional safety and the shutdown was accomplished without anyone getting hurt,” said Wyche Ford, manager of projects. “We are as proud of that as we are completing all the planned work on schedule.”

Crews used the shutdown to complete more than 40 projects along the 800-mile-long pipeline and at the Valdez Marine Terminal. Another shutdown is planned for July 23-24 and is expected to last about 36 hours.

Alyeska conducts line-wide maintenance shutdowns almost every year for work on the pipeline and at the Valdez Marine Terminal.

For more information about the June shutdown and to view some photos from the work, click here.