News Bulletin 1395
Pipeline restarted after scheduled shutdown

ANCHORAGE, AK – Alyeska Pipeline initiated a scheduled shutdown on Saturday, October 21, 2006 to test new and existing equipment as part of Strategic Reconfiguration (SR). The SR modernization project will reduce infrastructure and simplify operations and maintenance by electrifying and automating control systems at Pump Stations 1, 3, 4, and 9. This is the first in a series of planned short duration shutdowns of the 800-mile-long pipeline to prepare the stations for the startup of the new system.

During the shutdown on Saturday, workers evaluated Alyeska’s Safety, Integrity, Pressure, Protection System (SIPPS) and Remote Gate Valve control functions between Pump Stations 4 and 8. This equipment works in concert to help provide communications between the valves and the Operations Control Center. The Trans Alaska Pipeline System has 178 valves that control oil flow through its 48-inch mainline pipe. Most of these valves are environmental safeguards that ensure safe operation and limit the potential size of spills.

There was no impact to North Slope Producers during this short shutdown. The second scheduled shutdown is planned for Thursday, October 26, 2006. Alyeska currently has plans for up to four additional shutdowns with each shutdown expected to last approximately 3˝-hours.

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