ANCHORAGE, AK -- May 16, 1996 -- Alyeska Pipeline Service Company reported today that the Valdez Marine Terminal Vapor Recovery System pipe replacement will begin in June. The Joint Pipeline Office gave approval to the piping replacement project in March of this year.

The two-year piping replacement schedule will upgrade the Vapor Recovery System carbon steel piping to more corrosion-resistant stainless steel. Some portions of the carbon steel piping have shown high corrosion rates and have developed leaks. These leaks have been repaired using approved methods.

The 1996 work on the Vapor Recovery System will include replacing all carbon steel piping which has experienced corrosion leaks, and piping identified to be susceptible to potential leakage. 5,800 linear feet of piping will be replaced this year and an additional 5,700 linear feet of piping will be replaced in 1997. Upon completion of the work in 1997, 99% of the high pressure piping and approximately 30% of the low pressure piping will be corrosion-resistant material.

Crews at the Terminal detected a corrosion leak last week--following established procedures, crews lowered pressure in the system, isolated the affected piping when operational conditions allowed, and repaired the leak. "We have anticipated that we will likely have additional leaks in the carbon steel piping until the 1996 replacement program is complete," said Steve Newcomer, Acting Terminal Manager. "We have developed a contingency response process which includes operational changes and the procurement of repair materials for use in the interim period prior to completion of the planned piping replacement."

The Vapor Recovery System's high pressure line operates at approximately 10 psi above atmospheric pressure, about the same pressure as a typical household water system. The low pressure line runs at a slight vacuum, which is slightly less than a common household vacuum cleaner. The Vapor Recovery System maintains a very low oxygen content in the vapor space of the Marine Terminal's crude oil storage tanks and prevents the tanks from venting crude oil vapors to the atmosphere.

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