Pipeline 101
Pipe

The Trans Alaska Pipeline System is 800 miles long with a 48-inch outside diameter. The pipe has two wall thicknesses (.462 and .562 inches) and three strength gradations tested to yield a minimum of 60-, 65- or 70-thousand pounds per square inch. The pipe meets or exceeds all engineering requirements specified by industry standards, regulatory requirements and Alyeska’s additional standards that consider the arctic environment. The pipeline’s maximum operating pressure is 1,180 pounds per square inch. Buried pipe is protected from corrosion by special coatings and systematic maintenance. Aboveground pipe is covered by 4-inch-thick insulation and a protective metal jacket. TAPS operational life can be extended indefinitely with proper monitoring, maintenance and repair.