News Bulletin 1351
TAPS
Recovery and Repair Efforts Continue Through the Night
ANCHORAGE, AK – October 5, 2001 8:50
P.M. – Control, containment, and clean-up efforts continue at Milepost 400 of the
trans-Alaska pipeline where a bullet hole punctured the pipe on Thursday, October 4, 2001.
Oil continues to be discharged from the pipe although responders are "recovering oil
at a rate equal to, or greater than the leak rate," said Bill Howitt, Unified
Commander.
Oil collection vacuum trucks on site are keeping up with the current discharge from the
pipe resulting in no additional environmental damage. Of the estimated spill volume of
6,600 barrels, 371 barrels have been recovered.
Personnel and equipment have been mobilized on site to repair the pipe. Conditions
permitting, repairs are expected to begin later this evening. Repairs will involve the
installation of a hydraulic clamp that will encircle the pipe to seal the puncture point
and stop the oil discharge.
More than 100 Alyeska and contract responders, working 12 hour shifts, are on the scene
working to contain and recover the spilled oil with additional resources en route. The
Village Response Teams from Rampart, Stevens Village, and Minto have been activated. Four
containment pits have been set up for collection of the oil. A waste management plan has
been developed and implemented.
No injuries have been reported and personnel safety remains a top priority. Although it
is too early to assess the environmental impact, no injuries to wildlife have been
reported.
The following Unified Command has been established to manage this incident: Incident
Commander, Bill Howitt, Alyeska Pipeline Service Company; Federal On-Scene Commander, Carl
Lautenberger, EPA; State On-Scene Commander, Ed Meggert, ADEC. |