ANCHORAGE, AK – May 3, 1998 -- Alyeska Pipeline Service Company responded to a leak detection alarm between Pump Stations 7 and 8 yesterday afternoon. Crews immediately began ground and air surveillance of the area. No indication of a leak was found. After a second ground and air reconnaissance found no evidence of a problem, Alyeska decided to idle the southern end of the pipeline to complete a pressure test of the 75 mile segment where the alarm occurred. The pressure test provided final assurance that a leak had not occurred. The southern end of the pipeline was restarted at 9:30 p.m.

An investigation of the alarm is in progress, including an evaluation of the alarm system software. Alyeska will continue to closely monitor the situation until the cause of the alarm has been determined.

The southern end of the pipeline was idled at 7:15 p.m. The northern end continued to operate, using tanks at Pump Station 1 and Pump Station 5. North Slope producers were asked to reduce the amount of oil sent to Pump Station 1 by 40 percent while the southern end of the pipeline was idled. The pipeline was returned to full operation at 10:30 p.m.