ANCHORAGE, AK -- SEPTEMBER 26, 1998 --

The trans-Alaska pipeline was successfully restarted today at 10:40 a.m. after being shut down for almost 29 hours for scheduled maintenance.

The shutdown was planned for maintenance work along the pipeline and Valdez Marine Terminal, including the replacement and repair of two mainline valves. All maintenance work was completed safely within the anticipated time schedule. No reportable accidents or spills occurred.

Remote Gate Valve 80, located approximately 13 miles north of Delta Junction, was completely replaced with another valve from Alyeska's inventory. The replacement effort was completed ahead of schedule in 23 hours. The removed valve will be returned to Fairbanks and analyzed to determine why the valve was not sealing properly. The valve will be refurbished and placed in Alyeska's inventory for future projects.

Check Valve 122, located 20 miles north of Valdez at the base of Keystone Canyon, was repaired in place by replacing the internal sealing elements. A work crew removed the top of the check valve and entered the pipeline to repair the valve. Debris and sludge were found at the bottom of the check valve, which is believed to be the reason the valve was not sealing properly. This project was completed in 27 hours and is the first time that an in-service 48-inch mainline valve was refurbished.

While the two major projects were occurring, a variety of smaller maintenance projects took place at various locations along the pipeline system.

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