At approximately 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 3 natural gas leaked for about 10 seconds from Gate Valve 9, while crews were performing scheduled maintenance on the valve located on an 8-inch below ground gas line that supplies fuel to the first 4 pump stations. Gate Valve 9 is approximately 14 miles north of Pump Station 4. The ground around the upper portion of the valve had been excavated and the leak occurred when crews attempted to close the valve during safety checks. Approximately 65 cubic feet of gas were released from the below ground portion of the valve into the atmosphere. The release stopped when the valve was completely opened. As a precautionary measure, Alyeska established a safety watch at the site until an investigation and repairs could be made. A person stationed at the site with gas sensing equipment provided hourly status reports by radio contact to Pump Station 4. No leaks were detected during the watch. An investigation the following day found a crack part way around the circumference of a half-inch diameter pipe nipple thread located in the valve body drain line. The pipe nipple was replaced and repairs were complete by 7:00 p.m.

Alyeska Pipeline is conducting two spill drills this week. The Minton Creek exercise on Tuesday, June 6 will test Alyeska’s ability to respond to a spill at one of the least accessible points on the pipeline in central Alaska. Man-power and equipment will be mobilized to the site and deployed by a local on-scene command team with equipment and personnel support from other locations along the pipeline corridor and Fairbanks. Minton Creek, located south of Fairbanks, flows into the Salcha River and is one of the sensitive areas specifically addressed in Alyeska’s Trans Alaska Pipeline System Oil Discharge Prevention and Contingency Plan. The second drill will be in Prince William Sound where Alyeska is supporting SeaRiver Maritime in a three-day drill, from June 6-8, that develops and tests geographic response strategies to protect sensitive areas near the community of Tatitlik.

Alyeska Pipeline Sponsors Annual YOUth Track and Field Day in Fairbanks

Alyeska Pipeline Service Company proudly sponsors the Fairbanks Annual YOUth Track and Field Day at the West Valley High School Track on Saturday, June 10, 2000 in partnership with the Fairbanks North Star Borough. The one-day event is a beginning-level, recreational track and field program designed to introduce 6- to 14-year old children to track and field sport events including metered runs, the running long jump and the softball throw. Participation is free. Children receive event ribbons and tee-shirts are given to the first 650 registered participants. First, second and third place contestants will also receive medals and first place winners will receive a brand new bike. This is the 4 th year that Alyeska Pipeline has sponsored the track and field day in conjunction with the many TAPS employees who volunteer their time. "Alyeska Pipeline Service Company is proud to be part of this event. Thou-sands of kids have participated over the years, and it is much anticipated each year as the time approaches," said Alyeska Fairbanks Business Unit Senior Vice President Bill Howitt. "Events such as this are so important for kids and families. It brings people together for a fun day of healthy activity." Last year more than 600 children participated in the YOUth Track and Field Day, and even more children are expected to participate this year.

May Reliability:                              100%

2000 Reliability:                              99.95%

May Throughput:                             30,898,000 barrels

May Daily Average:                         1996,700 barrels per day
2000 Throughput:                            158,180,000 barrels

2000 Daily Average:                        1,041,000 barrels per day

The pipeline "Reliability Factor" is the amount of time the pipeline is operating and available to transport North Slope Crude oil.

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