ANCHORAGE, AK – 1:00 a.m., JANUARY 1, 2000 – The Trans Alaska Pipeline System has transitioned through the century date change without interruption to service.  The Alyeska crews will continue to monitor the pipeline and Terminal operations to assure that the system is continuing to function as designed.  Emergency Operations Centers in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Valdez will remain in place for several hours to provide additional assistance, if necessary.

“I want to thank the pipeline system employees who spent New Year’s Eve at work to ensure the transition went smoothly.  Due to the remediation efforts over the past two years and everyone’s diligence tonight, we successfully enter the next century fully operational.   We fixed our systems, expected the best- and planned for the worst-case scenario,” said Bob Malone, President and CEO of Alyeska Pipeline Service Company.

Alyeska crews were operating in extreme temperature conditions along the 800-mile pipeline, at the Valdez Marine Terminal and at the SERVS base in Valdez.  Temperatures at Pump Station One dropped as low as minus 75 degrees Fahrenheit with wind chill.  In Valdez, crews experienced five-foot seas and winds to 25 knots. Tanker loading will resume at 2:00 a.m.

Additional information will be released at 5:00 a.m. Alaska Standard Time if there is any change in the pipeline operational status.

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