The Trans Alaska Pipeline System maintained a reliability factor of 100 percent for the month of January. This means the pipeline was operational and able to accept oil from North Slope producers for the full month without any unplanned shutdowns. When the pipeline is shut down, either for safety reasons or unplanned maintenance, North Slope producers may be impacted, or requested to reduce production until the pipeline is fully operational. The target "reliability factor" for 1998 is 98 percent.

During the month of January, the pipeline transported over 39,000,000 barrels of oil, averaging, 1.27 million barrels per day.