Alyeska Stops Small Crude Leak At Pump Station 12

Alyeska Pipeline Service Company discovered and stopped a small crude leak on an injection line that is part of the relief system at Pump Station 12. The leak was discovered at 10:45 p.m., on Thursday, January 13 by a technician during a regular operational check.

Inspection revealed a 1/2-inch crack in a weld of a 3/4-inch fitting where corrosion inhibitor is injected into the line. Approximately one gallon of crude seeped through the crack, was released inside the manifold building and cleaned up with absorbent materials. A 24-hour onsite watch was established until repair crews arrived from Fairbanks. The fitting was isolated by 1:00 p.m. on Friday. The relief system remained fully functional throughout this event. Alyeska is currently investigating the cause of the crack, and the best option for returning the injection system to service.

Relief system lines are used as needed to route crude from the mainline to holding tanks. Because crude doesn’t flow continuously through these lines, water condensation accumulates and promotes corrosion. Alyeska injects corrosion inhibitor into relief system lines periodically to combat corrosion