News Bulletin 1347
Pipeline
Shut Down After Leak Detected
ANCHORAGE, AK – October 4, 2001 4:55
P.M. – The trans-Alaska pipeline was shut down at about 2:30 p.m.
today after an Alyeska surveillance helicopter detected oil on the ground in the vicinity
of milepost 400, about 15 miles north of pump station 7. The surveillance crew detected
what appears to be a bullet hole in the pipe.
Alyeska’s Operations Control Center immediately began the process of shutting down
the north end of the line, above the site of the incident. Flow continued below the site
to relieve pressure on the pipe. Alyeska asked North Slope producers to reduce production
to 50 percent. Alyeska response crews are on their way to the scene to attempt to stop the
leak and clean up the oil. So far, there is no estimate of how much oil has leaked.
Alaska State Troopers have been dispatched to the scene. All appropriate government
agencies have been notified. |