An analytical device designed to measure the shape of the pipeline was put into the pipeline this weekend and will arrive at the Valdez Marine Terminal on Saturday. This pig is being run to confirm no damage occurred to the pipeline during an overpressure situation which occurred August 5, 1998. This “deformation” pig measures the diameter of the pipeline to determine if there are locations where the pipe might contain dents or is no longer perfectly round. The shape of the pipe will help determine if the overpressure impacted the integrity of the pipe. If changes to the pipe are discovered, an engineering analysis will be performed and any necessary corrective action taken.

The deformation pig is typically run through the pipeline every three years. Data collected from the pig run will be available in about two months. Areas where the pipe is no longer round or contains dents are monitored to ensure pipe integrity is maintained.

Approximately 20 gallons of lube oil were released within a booster pump building at Pump Station 1 after the pump’s hydraulic lube oil line failed. The lube oil was contained within the building and was cleaned up using a vacuum truck. A second booster pump was brought on-line approximately five minutes after the first pump shut down. Pipeline throughput was not impacted.

The hydraulic oil line failed after rubbing against a second line in the enclosure. Both lines were replaced and the pump brought back into service. The booster pumps at Pump Station 1 increase the pressure of the oil so that the mainline pumps can push it down the pipeline.

October Reliability: 100%
1998 Reliability: 99.40%

October Throughput: 38,164,568 barrels
Average Daily Throughput for October: 1,231,000 barrels per day

1998 Throughput: 367,016,000 barrels
Average Daily Throughput for 1998: 1,207,000 barrels per day

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