FAIRBANKS, AK – September 11, 1999 - The trans-Alaska pipeline was successfully shut down for planned maintenance this morning at 7 a.m. by the Operations Control Center in Valdez .  This shutdown is scheduled to last 26 hours to conduct maintenance and repair work along the pipeline.  The primary project being completed during the shutdown is the replacement of Remote Gate Valve 60, located about one half mile north of the Yukon River.  This valve was tested two years ago as part of a comprehensive valve testing program and it was determined that it did not meet Alyeska’s standard for sealing and oil continued to flow past the valve when it was in a fully closed position.

The $3.8 million valve replacement began by stopping oil flow and isolating the valve from the pipeline.  The valve was successfully isolated by 9 a.m.  The 78,000 pound valve was cut away from the pipeline using specially designed saws.  The valve was removed by 11:15 a.m.

Fifty-six valves are also scheduled to be tested during the shutdown period, as part of the four-year valve testing program.   The systematic testing of the 177 main line valves will be completed in the year 2000.  The purpose is to test the sealing capability of each valve in the closed position.

The producers on the north slope are continuing to pump oil at less than 20% of their normal rate and the crude is being diverting to storage tanks at Pump Station 1.

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