News Bulletin 1390
Pipeline Shut Down for Scheduled Routine Maintenance
Check Valve 109 to be Replaced

Fairbanks, AK – Alyeska Pipeline Service Company will initiate a scheduled maintenance shutdown of the trans-Alaska pipeline July 22nd and 23rd. The primary scope of work includes the replacement of Check Valve 109 (CV 109) near Glennallen and the installation of a new Check Valve at Pump Station 10. The shutdown will begin at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, and is scheduled to last approximately 36 hours.

Over 100 Alyeska employees and contractors will work to replace CV 109, one of the 82 valves that prevent the reverse flow of oil. Check Valves are designed to be held open by flowing oil and to drop closed automatically when oil flow stops or is reversed. There are 177 mainline valves on the pipeline. These include Check Valves and Remote Gate Valves.

CV 109 was not operating to Alyeska’s performance specifications, so it will be replaced during the weekend shutdown. The installation of the Check Valve at Pump Station 10 is part of Alyeska’s continuing effort to increase redundant safety mechanisms in the pipeline that will minimize the possible amount of oil that could escape the pipeline in the event of a leak or a spill.

While the valve replacement is occurring, a variety of smaller maintenance projects will take place at various locations along the 800-mile pipeline system and at the Valdez Marine Terminal. Alyeska has coordinated the shutdown with the North Slope producers. Oil flow into Pump Station 1 will be approximately 20 percent of the typical flow rate throughout the shutdown. The pipeline is scheduled to be restarted at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, July 23.
 

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