Anchorage, AK – Today, December 21st, the 15 billionth barrel of oil will be received at Alyeska Pipeline Service Company’s Pump Station One on Alaska’s North Slope and begin its journey down the pipeline. This is the second significant operational milestone for Alyeska in the month of December. Earlier this month, the company’s Ship Escort Vessel Response System (SERVS) conducted its 10,000th tanker escort.

On Wednesday, December 14, the marine tanker Polar Resolution departed from the Valdez Marine Terminal under escort by the SERVS’ tugs Alert and Nanuq. SERVS was established in 1989 to prevent oil spills by assisting tankers in safe navigation through Prince William Sound, and to protect the environment by providing rapid and effective response services to the Valdez Marine Terminal and Alaska crude oil shippers.

The first barrel of oil started flowing on June 20, 1977. The oil arrived in Valdez on July 28, 1977 and the first tanker departed the terminal on August 1, 1977. When North Slope crude oil production was at its peak, the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) throughput averaged over 2.1 million barrels per day. At present, less than one million barrels of oil per day move through the pipeline, representing approximately 17% of the United States’ crude oil production. Due to the in-state use of oil by refineries, the 15 billionth barrel of oil that will be loaded onto tankers to be shipped to market will occur around December 2007.

“I want to take this opportunity to congratulate those who designed and built the pipeline system and also to recognize the employees who operate TAPS today for their dedication and personal commitment,” said Kevin Hostler, Alyeska President and Chief Executive Officer. “These milestones are great examples of the work we do in safeguarding the environment and transporting oil safely - day in and day out.”


 

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