President's Message
Kevin Hostler, President and CEO

PERMAFROST CONFERENCE CELEBRATES CONSTRUCTION OF TAPS

In late-June hundreds of engineers and scientists from all over the world gathered in Fairbanks for the International Conference of Permafrost. Alyeska was one of the major supporters for this event, as it helped showcase advancements in permafrost engineering. It would be hard, if not impossible, to discuss this topic without highlighting the construction of the Trans Alaska Pipeline System, and the conference provided us with an ideal opportunity to review the historic effort that led to the construction of TAPS in a permafrost-rich environment.

In designing the 800-mile pipeline, engineers had to factor in daunting challenges posed by some of the fiercest arctic conditions in the world. In TAPS’ path from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez lay more than 500 rivers and streams, three mountain ranges, and permafrost conditions that demanded exact engineering and science. More than 30 years and 15 billion barrels of crude later, the pipeline is still safely and efficiently delivering energy to the United States.

Many Alyeska engineers participated in the conference and discussed the challenges our pipeline faces in the arctic climate. We are proud to be associated with such an important event and thank all of the participants for their contribution to the field of arctic engineering.

Below: Busloads of conference attendees participated in field trips highlighting local permafrost attractions, including a close-up view of the pipeline at the Fox Visitor’s Center, narrated by longtime Alyeska Engineer Elden Johnson, pictured at left in hard hat.