ANCHORAGE, AK – January 7, 2002 – On January 4th, ground surveillance being performed by Alyeska personnel revealed that 7 anchors on the Vertical Support Members that support the weight of the trans-Alaska Pipeline had moved, or "tripped". These anchors, located on 7 VSM's in the Prospect Creek area near Pump Station # 5, are being inspected and repair crews are on scene. There is an anchor assembly on many of the VSM's on the pipeline.

Repairs are beginning today and are expected to take 7 to 10 days to complete. The cause of the movement is under investigation by the Alyeska System Engineering Team. The system put in place to protect the integrity of the pipeline performed as designed and remains in good condition. That system consists of the anchors, the "shoes" and sacrificial components, such as energy absorbers. Pipeline surveillance was conducted between North Pole Metering (just south of Fairbanks) and Pump Station # 5 and no other problems were observed.