News Bulletin 1348
Pipeline
Leak Update
ANCHORAGE, AK – October 5, 2001 12:30
A.M. – Work crews are preparing to begin the repair of the
trans-Alaska pipeline after a bullet penetrated a section of the 800 mile pipe Thursday
afternoon. About 3:00 p.m., an Alyeska Security 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 oil escaping through what appeared to be a bullet hole in the
pipe. A suspect believed to be responsible for shooting the pipeline is in Alaska State
Trooper custody.
Upon notification of the incident and a drop in pressure on the line, Alyeska’s
Operations Control Center immediately began the process of shutting down the north end of
the line. Oil was allowed to flow south through the line in an effort to reduce oil
pressure.
Alyeska immediately mobilized response crews, heavy machinery and a special land spill
strike team to the scene to clean up the oil. Crews are preparing to repair the damaged
section of the pipe in an effort to return it to normal operation as soon as possible.
Though the amount of oil spilled due to the rupture in the pipe is unknown at this
time, Alyeska officials are characterizing the spill as significant. The oil sprayed about
75 feet out from the pipeline covering an area on the ground measuring about 75 square
yards. Pressure inside the pipeline was approximately 525 pounds per square inch at the
time of the incident and continues to be high at this time.
Normal tanker loading operations will continue at the Valdez Marine Terminal using oil
from the storage tanks at the terminal while the line is being repaired.
There are no significant rivers or streams in the immediate vicinity of the spill.
There have not been any reports of injury to humans or wildlife as a result of the spill.
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